TOM Books

There's a knee-jerk reaction to think of success as being defined by money and material things alone. This book encompasses that,but goes far beyond it into the realm of defining what real gratification means. The author begins by presenting a list of factors that are elemental to achieving success:
1. Optimism
2. Definite vision
3. Willingness to work
4. Discipline
5. An integrated mind
6. Prolific reading
7. Risk taking
8. Realizing the power of expectation
9. Mastery
10. Well roundedness.

"The 50 Success Classics" are divided into four categories: motivation,fulfilling your potential,prosperity,and leadership. The summaries of the classics themselves are excellent. But one of the real added benefits of the book is the author's astute commentaries, highlighting important points,and providing enhancement to the wise words of each classic. This is a terrific motivational book. I use it not just for my own stimulation, but with my management students also.

"The 50 Success Classics" provides wisdom from those whose names are immediately recognizable: Andrew Carnegie,Steven Covey,Michael Dell, Warren Buffett, Ben Franklin,Sam Walton, and many others. Any prospective purchaser can be assured that in spite of the fame of these and others mentioned in the book that there are many new facts and insights to be gained. (The summaries are far superior to the standard re-hash of the familiar that we've all seen.)

While the names above are common knowledge to most,have you heard of Robert Collier,Les Giblin,Gracian,Richard Wiseman,or in the case of men,the well known women's motivator Cheryl Richardson? All of these summaries contain sage advice and excellent guides for daily living. There are other great lessons to be learned from other "unknowns", at least to many of us.

The book also contains a summary of Sun Tzu's classic "The Art of War", arguably one of the greatest military stategy manuals of all time,which has also been recently adapted for use in management. After reading "50 Success Classics" you'll want to continue in the same vein, with Tom Butler-Bowdon's other "Success Classics" on Inspiration, and on Prosperity.They have all been a great help to me.

There are already a number of views outlining what this book is about, how it works, which books are included. I will skip doing that and try to think now of some of the 'lessons' I learned from reading the author's summaries of these works ( which so far as I can tell are done in an excellent way)
One lesson which seems to be paramount is the importance of attitude. 'Trust yourself, every heart vibrates to that iron string" says Emerson who is I believe one of the fathers of this whole yea- saying business. The 'trust yourself' also extends to having a positive attitude towards others, avoiding argument and criticism. An important lesson is to smile and be upbeat in dealings with others. It is also recommended to be honest and forthright in dealing with others.A third great lesson is the importance of 'seizing the opportunity when it is there' having the courage to do so. A fourth lesson which is repeated more than once is in finding 'opportunity in adversity' and in some transformation in life. The idea is here is that life is changing all the time and some of that change is certainly not for the better. And one has to be continually ready to change with it.
I could go on listing the different pieces of advice here, and they truly are various and interesting.
What I am thinking about is about all those like myself who will never take much of this advice, and probably never be 'successes' in the way the people who write here are.
I too am not sure that the sense of what success is here (It is as I understand it by and large- success in business )is the kind of success a considerable body of people truly long for.
I too think of a different attitude towards success,held by those who long for success, and will not attain it. And the fact that not succeeding may in some ways and in certain ways prove a more valuable experience than success itself. Perhaps this is best expressed in these lines of Emily Dickinson.

"Success is counted sweetest
by those who ne'er succeed
To comprehend a nectar
Requires Sorest Need.

Not one of all the Purple Host
who took the Flag today
can tell a Definition
so clear of Victory

as he defeated dying
on whose forbidden ear
the distant strains of triumph
burst agonized and clear. "

Butler-Bowdon is my guide through the literature of inner -development. His books have helped me grow as an individual and continue to help in my research for the books I choose to write to help humanity. His knowledge is exceptional and his choice of books is perfect. He truly is an expert in this area. I recommend his entire series and genuinely cant wait to get Psychology Classics. Thanks for helping humanity with your writing Mr. Butler-Bowdon.

10 stars

Author, Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds and Upcoming Release of Eastern Wisdom for Your Soul.

50 Self-Help Classics: 50 Inspirational Books to Transform Your Life, From Timeless Sages to Contemporary Gurus
50 Success Classics: Winning Wisdom for Life and Work from 50 Landmark Books
50 Spiritual Classics: Timeless Wisdom from 50 Great Books on Inner Discovery, Enlightenment and Purpose

In the first instance, I have bought these three books in one go because I have been fascinated by what the author had done: He has practised what is known as the highest level of reading. Mortimer Adler, in his classic book, 'How to Read a Book', written in the forties, had called it 'syntopical reading'. It's actually reading a number of books of the same genre, more or less simultaneously & then synthesising the key points.

Secondly, the author, who is a graduate of the London School of Economics, somehow impresses me with his ability to synthesise the big picture of each of the books that made up the entire collection. For apparently a left-brain thinker i.e. economist by training, this has been a very remarkable feat, as his synthesising endeavour has been essentially more of a right-brain activity. Well, I must compliment him for a job well done.

Before my final decision on buying the three books, I have been thrilled by the prospect of reading three books, which in turn will give me access to one hundred & fifty books.

For each book, the author has very artfully as well as skillfully selected fifty books to made up one collection. I may not agree with his selection, but I must admit that I can't default him at all.

Take the first book, '50 Self Help Classics', with timeless wisdom, as an example. Out of the fifty books he has selected, I have read only seventeen of them. I have those books in my personal library.

For the second book, '50 Success Classics', I have read & still own sixteen of the landmark books on winning wisdom selected by the author.

For the third & final book, '50 Spiritual Classics', covering timeless sages & contemporary gurus, I have read only & still own three of them, namely 'The Tao of Physics', 'The Way of the Peaceful Warrior' & 'Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'.

For those books I have read previously, totaling thirty-six of them (probably stretching over three decades of my life), & upon revisiting them again in the trilogy, which actually took me one whole weekend to complete, starting on Friday evening & finishing on Sunday night, I must say that the seemingly marathon reading experience has been very refreshing & uplifting. It has also given me the opportunity to check & verify whether the author has captured the key ideas or essence of those books. I don't think I can find fault with the author in this respect.

Not only that, in the first book, I am very impressed that the author has cut through the bewildering array of choices to bring the essential ideas, insights, and techniques from the `literature of possibilities'. In works that span the world's religions, cultures, philosophies, & centuries, he summarizes each work's key ideas & finally makes clear how these legendary classics can educate, affirm, & motivate anyone searching for the inspiration to make a meaningful life change.

In the second book, the author is back with his wide-ranging collection of enduring works from pioneering thinkers, philosophers, & powerful leaders, like Napoleon Hill, Stephen Covey, Kenneth Blanchard, Baltasar Gracian & Christopher Maurer; from the inspirational rags to riches stories of such entrepreneurs, like Andrew Carnegie, Warren Buffet & Sam Walton to the leadership lessons of Sir Ernest Shackleton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln & Nelson Mandela, just to name a few.

In the third book, I believe the author has captured the very best in spiritual writing: They include personal diaries & compelling biographies of such diverse figures as Gandhi, Malcolm X, & Black Elk & Eastern philosophers & gurus including Krishnamurti, Yogananda, Chögyam Trungpa & Suzuki; & Western saints & mystics such as St. Francis of Assisi, Herman Hesse & Simone Weil. For each book in this volume, the author offers insightful commentary on how these classics can help spiritual seekers everywhere bring personal beliefs, values & practices squarely into the center of their every day lives.

Reading the three foregoing books has been quite a breeze because the meaning of each work is initially captured 'in a nut shell' at the onset, coupled with a representative quote as well as cross-referencing to similar work. In each work, appropriate sectional headings in bold print make it really easy for the reader to follow the author's train of thoughts over some six pages. There is also a short biographical sketch of the author of the respective work.

I must admit that the third book in the trilogy has been the most challenging for me to read as I normally do not go for such stuff. To put it bluntly, it's not my cup of tea. On the other hand, the curiosity streak in me has been too overwhelming, since I relish the thought that I could read fifty spiritual classics in just one book!

Overall, & for all those books I have not yet read at all (some of which I have not even heard of), I really enjoyed digesting the author's bite-sized summaries (in actuality, they are only the main ideas, context & impact of each title, to give a taste of the literature, so to speak) in the three collections or volumes, even though some of the titles are relatively esoteric for me. The entire reading journey has been enlightening, inspirational & yet humbling in some areas. Best of all, there are useful tools & practical techniques to take away from each collection!

For the first & last book in the trilogy, namely, '50 Self Help Classics' & '50 Spirtual Classics', the author has respectively provide a list of additional 50 books. The titles are certainly enticing! Well, all I can say is this: I wish the author will repeat his syntopical reading exercise covering these books & add two more volumes, that will make a quintulogy, for all the readers out there, including me!

As usual, all my three books are now scribbled with my own hand-written marginal annotations as well as my fancy colour marker symbols. Additionally, there are also colourful sticky notes in between selected pages. My next personal assignment is to transfer all these notations into mindmaps with Mindmanager Pro.

To end my review, I have one last humble comment to make. Out of the one hundred & fifty bite-sized summaries, I still don't quite get it from 'The Bhagavad-Gita' as outlined in the author's '50 Self Help Classics'. I have not read this work before although I have heard about it. [J Y Pillay, former Chairman of Singapore Airlines, who is credited for building the airline to what it is today, A Great Way to Fly, has vouched for this ancient Hindu scripture as an inspiration for his leadership success during an interview.] However, in the same vein, I found that I could relate quickly to Deepak Chopra's 'The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success' but simply not this one! I may have to explore other avenue.

In site of the above minor short-coming, I strongly believe that the three books in the author's trilogy are really an intellectual treasure!

Truly, this is a great condensed volume of success advice. Butler-Bowden does the hard work for you, and in one volume you get the "meat" of 50 books. And, these 50 are some pretty hefty books. Some contemporary, some classic, but all contain valuable kernels of information that Butler-Bowden has already sussed out for you. The author includes a brief biography of the authors of the books he has chosen, and in many instances, those stories are just as inspiring.

I really enjoyed being reminded of "The Inner Game of Tennis". I read that book a long, long, time ago and 20+ years later, I have used the information time and again. Perhaps this little book helped make me a lifelong self-learner. I'm pretty sure it helped me be a better parent, teacher and manager.

For fans of success and achievement books, some of these selections are like old friends you need to get in touch with, and many will probably be new stories you'll grow to love.

If, on the other hand, you are a new student of success, seeking a meaty source for success education and information this is definitely bang for your buck. It might inspire you to read some of the "whole" books, but even this condensed "cram session" will leave you inspired and informed.

I thought this book was written by someone who owned a restaurant in Mexico, but was pleasantly surprised to find out the location was in Austin Texas. This book consists of recipes that are on their menu inspired by authentic Mexican connoisseurs like Diana Kennedy and former head chef Roberto Santibanez who now owns the New York based Mexican chain Rosa Mexicanos. Having lived for years in Mexico this has taken me back to the culinary culture that I love and miss dearly. The artwork that hangs in the restaurant is beautifully displayed as is the history. This is definitely a go to book since the recipes are right on to what I remember in Mexico. Definitely worth getting, but remember this is an authentic Mexican cookbook and not a Tex Mex cookbook.

This book is a must for every Mexian food lover and art. I have attended a cooking glass by them and have eaten brunch at their restaurant. Absolutely fantastic. The almond flan is superb and very easy to prepare in a blender. The chicken in banana leaves is also a standout. Recipes are fairly easy to understand and prepare, it just takes a bit of time.

Beautiful pictures, great recipe. Perfect for a table book, not just a cookbook.

I do not cook- until now. We visited this restaurant in Austin and were so impressed by the beauty of the location that when I went home, I went online and purchased the cookbook. My only intention was to be an "armchair cook" until I read how easy most of the recipes are! I'm shocked to say it, but everything has been easy and delicious. Try it, you'll love it.

The cookbook Fonda San Miguel: Thirty years of Food and Art seems to be one of those titles you see from time to time, when an established restaurant puts together a collection of recipes and a publisher hopes that name recognition will move copies. But open the cover, try some of the recipes, and you find a culinary gem.

Fonda San Miguel is a well-regarded restaurant in Austin offering Mexican cuisine. Author credits are co-founders Tom Gilliland (runs the front of the house) and Miguel Ravago (the chef) as well as "text by" Virginia B. Wood, whom is an Austin writer. The foreword is by noted Mexican cuisine expert Diana Kennedy, who apparently is a friend of the founders and whose work has inspired some of the dishes.

From first glance, the book is visually sumptuous: all color photography of the recipes and art in the restaurant with attractive design, hardbound. And here comes the first of my few quibbles: even though the publisher, Shearer Publishing, may have bought the rights to the photography, or even done it in-house, it should have given full credit to the people responsible for the actual photographic and food styling work. There also should have been better photo editing; I noticed a few out-of-focus images, one of which seemed planned and appropriate although the others looked like mistakes.

The recipes, though - marvelous. I tried four for a family dinner: guacamole, Sopa de Elote (a smooth corn soup served with roasted chiles and cheese), Adoba Sauce (pork marinade made with ancho chiles, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and black peppercorns), and Comote Y Piña (baked sweet potato puree with pineapple). The results were uniformly excellent. Unlike many cookbook recipes, I found that I could use each of these without modification or even adjusting amounts, which is pretty rare. I do wish that when a recipe referred to a preparation or technique elsewhere in the book that there was a page number associated, but, again, I did say quibbles.

The book originally came out in 2005, which does have me wondering why the PR firm that sent the copy is promoting it now, but it's nice to see that someone is taking an active interest in promotion this excellent volume.

Spectacular Photos and what an athlete. His death was a loss, but he lives on in these images

this book was amazing, the pictures are stunning, and the stories about him are almost unbelievable. I highly recommend this book for fans of photography or anyone who loves the outdoors.

If you are familiar with with the work of Galen Rowell I don't need to elaborate on the beauty and quality of his work, if you aren't familiar with this man and his work it will be a valuable addition to your knowledge and enjoyment of photography. Galen Rowell had an unfortunate and untimely death
after a very active life of globe trotting for photography that transcends
the material plane. The book presents many of his best works in a lovely format. A coffee table book that will get noticed.

This is more a short biography with too few of the beautuful photos this talented outdoor photographer made. I would have like to have seen more full page photos and more of them.

If you have every looked at Galen's photos and wanted to see more, this is it. With his life cut short, at least we still have archived material that can be released in a book this nice to bring us more glimpses of his world. The color is amazing, the subjects grand, and Galens storys bring it all alive in my livingroom.

Whether you want to learn to make Crab Cakes and/or feel confident enough to make them for dinner parties this is the perfect book. The recipes are easy to follow, every one (7 so far) I have tried has been outstanding. I've also found that I will be able to create my own recipes from what I've learned making these. It makes a great gift for cooks of all abilities that love crab cakes!

I Love Crab Cakes was a gift to my husband, he is the cook in our household. This book has a bounty of wonderful crab recipes. I would recommend this book to everyone that has a love of crab cakes done in allot of different ways.

This book has amazing recipes in it for making crab cakes. I am new to cooking seafood and this cookbook makes great variations of crab cakes. I just love it!

I purchased this book as a gift.The receiver is a gourmet cook and it's hard to find a cookbook he doesn't have.He has tried a few of the recipes and found them to be exceptional. I was a recepiant of a crab cake dinner at his home, and it was delish.

This book has lots of information about types of crab meat and the recipes are easy, fun and taste great. I've made a couple of the recipes and they were all the best crab cakes I've ever made.

Bob Drury and Tom Clavin's book is a testament to what must be one of the most heroic stands in US military history. Their work in The Last Stand of Fox Company is on a standard worthy of this amazing story.

The US Marines who are the subject of this book set an example that is beyond words to describe. These older teenagers and young adults from across America endured bitter freezing cold and an onslaught of Chinese soldiers to hold a small piece of frozen earth in Northern North Korea during the Korean "Conflict." Their feats ended up saving thousands of Marines' lives. They took heavey losses and most were wounded by enemy fire or frostbite.

The authors offer an encaptivating account of the weeklong battle that includes play-by-play narratives of battles from various points of view. This is a gripping battlefield account.

They also provide interesting bios and profiles of the Marines who played a part in the battle. These profiles reveal the reasons for joining the Marines and the courage exhibited in the battle. All these men fought for each other, for America and for the cause of freedom.

This book offers insights into the leadership of the "conflict" and what contributed to the decisions both in Washington and on the ground.

This is a book to make any American proud of its soldiers past and present. It is an intriguing, page-turning read that is extremely well-written and respectful of its subject. What becomes clear through this account is the truth of Fox Company's Commanding Officer Capt. William Barber's statement of the battle: "Uncommon valor had become a common virtue."

The Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War was one of the Marine Corps greatest achievements. 10,000 men stood up to 100,000 of the enemy and was able to damage the enemy lines so severly (almost by half) that the enemy had to retreat. The last stand of Fox Company takes place on a strategic hill in the Toktong Pass, to lose that hill would have cut the United States and its allies off from itself, the rest of the allies on the beach and the marines in the mountains. To lose Fox Hill would have sent the Marines further inward on the landscape and to almost certain death.

This is the story of the men of Fox Company, and it was compelling. Occasionally I would become so involved in this book that I would completely lose track of where I was or what time it was.

The Last Stand of Fox Company flowed very well as a narrative. In the past I have had trouble reading books of war accounts, I lack the frame of reference for a combat situation. Combat today is not like it was then either. I found the maps included in this book to really be helpful in getting my bearings for where everything was. I would have liked a small glossary for some of the jargon I was unfamiliar with, the authors did help me by placing more than one definition of the jargon throughout the book, but it would have been helpful to have it all in one place.

This book came from journals, archives and interviews of the men and their families from Fox Company. There was a bit of profanity, in case that would sway your desire to read the book, but I think given the circumstances these men were in it was entirely appropriate.

I read this book not because I am a military buff or history buff but because my Father-in-law was in Korea at the Chosin Reservoir. He doesn't talk about it much, I hoped in reading this book we could open a dialog together about his experiences, I would hate to lose him and never know. We were able to open that communication. I know now that he does still suffer from the frostbite on his trigger finger, but he says with an overwhelming sadness "that's really nothing, a reminder, really." Thank you Drury and Clavin for making a readable book on the Korean War.

I was humbled by this book, very humbled.

If the U.S. Marines ever add a new verse to The Marine Hymn, they would do well to add lines about the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, when First Division Marines battled Chinese forces ten times their number and managed to withdraw ("attacking in another direction") intact from Chosin Reservoir between late November and mid-December of 1950.

One of the keys to that withdrawal were the 234 Marines of Fox Company and a hill they occupied that blocked the Chinese army from having full access to the pass through which their fellow Marines were withdrawing. They held it for four days and five nights in temperatures down to 30 below zero. Some three-quarters of them were killed, wounded, or captured before a special force of 500 Marines punched through the Chinese lines and enabled them to rejoin their fellow Marines. This is their story, told almost minute by minute, and based on extensive interviews with survivors. The book is marvelously well-written and the authors know their topic well, understanding the Marine ethos as well as the weapons and tactics with which they fight.

In a book this detailed, several images stick out. One is the warning Fox Company's commander gives his men when they arrive. Dig your foxholes deep, he warns them, if our position gets overrun, our own artillery has orders to shell our positions. Holding that hill as long as possible was just that important. Thousands of Marines were depending on them.

Another is the resourcefulness the individual Marines show. In the freezing temperatures, no weapon could be trusted, so after each battle, they scrounge every weapon they could from the dead, including the Chinese, and placed them within reach. Even a Japanese machine gun the Chinese must have acquired in World War II was put into service.
In its understated way, the book also paints a realistic picture of what it is like to be outnumbered and surrounded, with fewer and fewer unwounded men and little chance of relief. Near the last, the company was preparing to put any of the wounded who could still handle a weapon into the foxholes, and men too wounded for that were attempting to get weapons. The medical tent, filled with badly wounded men was preparing to fight to the last man.

And finally, there was the company commander, wounded in the early fighting, who for several days, refused to take morphine, lest it cloud his judgment. When near the last, he felt that he had to take something for the pain, he told those under him that, given his exhaustion and the medications, they should feel free to speak up if his judgment began to cloud.

Throughout the book, the authors point out how a man's background had prepared him for this battle. Some had grown up handy with guns on farms and in small towns. Others had been kids on the street of big cities in an age the fighting between ethnic groups toughened up a boy without making him into a drug-addled killer. That's what's behind Humphrey Bogart's line in Casablanca, when he tells a German officer, "there are certain neighborhoods in New York I would not advise you to invade." All had faced difficult times during the Depression, and some had fought in World War II. It was an era when the nation produced men who could fight.

But as I read that, I couldn't help but wonder just how well our nation is preparing its young men to fight at some future Chosin Resevoir. A couple of months ago I was working at a security job with someone who became very upset that the foreman of an outside security firm, brought in to help us with a special event, was armed with the same sort of Glock handgun the Seattle police carry. It wasn't the pluses and minuses of carrying a weapon openly that bothered him. It was the very presence of a gun that sent him into a panic. "Guns are ikky-poo," I could almost imagine him saying. I could even imagine his being afraid to touch one.

Some limp-wristed, artistic type, you say, perhaps with a lisp and a giggle? Hardly. He's a tall, strong guy that in earlier wars might have been the one assigned the BAR. But he's also a product of a slice of our culture--coastal, big-city and liberal--that's lost any concept of manliness and the necessity at times to use force, including lethal force. And of course being a city boy educated perhaps in public schools where bringing a toy soldier to school could get you expelled, he was actually taught his irrational phobia about guns.

Marines, active, former, and retired, need to ask themselves some hard questions about our culture and in particular whether it is still as effective at producing the sort of men who fought at Chosin Reservoir as it was in the past, men not afraid to call evil evil and to fight it with every breath in them. And they need to ask themselves if there are things they might do to raise young men, susceptible to these corrupting influences, into the sorts of men who would be proud to be Marines. All fights aren't on the battlefield. Some fights are for hearts and minds in our own culture.

--Michael W. Perry, editor of Chesterton on War and Peace: Battling the Ideas and Movements that Led to Nazism and World War II

Reconstructing a small unit action is one of the military historian's most frustrating tasks. Doing it at all is a feat; doing is well deserves high kudos. This account of how Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment held onto a key hill in the Toktong Pass, repelling attacks by five Chinese Communist battalions and thereby playing a key role in extricating American and British forces from near-certain annihilation, is extraordinary. Laying out the terrain and defensive positions with precision (the maps are exceptionally fine), describing the assaults almost minute by minute, and paying close attention to the physical hardship that aggravated the defenders' perils, it gives a vivid sense of the engagement and clear insight into why the outnumbered Marines were able to hang on until relief arrived and retreat became possible.

Of particular interest to military amateurs like me are three factors that help explain why the battle developed as it did: First is the way in which broken ground and vicious weather "enlarged" the battlefield. During the first enemy assault, a third of Fox Company were unaware that their comrades were under attack; they could neither see nor hear what was happening a few dozen feet away. Second is the primitive equipment and doctrine of the Chicom attackers. Many of them were former Nationalist soldiers conscripted into the Red Army. Their commanders saw little reason not to waste their lives in frontal assaults, and were either unable or unwilling to support them with artillery or air power. Even machine guns were in short supply. Materiel advantages, amplified by superior leadership and training, gave the Marines a comparative potency all out of proportion to their numbers.

Finally, the incidents of resilience and endurance retold here go beyond astonishing. In minus 20 weather, most of Fox Company lived in unsheltered foxholes, slept only in short bursts and ate irregular, ascetic meals. Just moving from one spot to another (e. g., away from the foxhole for hygienic reasons) incurred grave risk; sharpshooting was one of the enemy's strongest proficiencies. Despite these conditions, the company did not break, and several became heroes. Two were awarded the Medal of Honor. Only one in four came through the battle alive and unwounded.

Having praised the book as it should be praised, let me add a caveat: The narrative is based to a large extent on the fifty year old recollections of Fox Company's survivors. The authors made use, too, of more nearly contemporary material - after-action reports, diaries, letters home, and the like - but most of the novel-like detail and an indeterminate portion of the plain facts draw on inherently unreliable human memory. The gap between story and truth, always present, is here of indeterminate width and shrouded in fog.

Also a little foggy is the wider context. The strategic situation is merely sketched in, though nothing essential has been omitted. Understandably, the enemy perspective is nearly absent. It will be a while before Peking's archives are open to Western military researchers.

Fox Company's captain, Bill Barber, who commanded much of the battle on improvised crutches, then from a stretcher, and was one of the Medal of Honor winners, made light of comparisons between his unit's stand and the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae. In terms of impact on world history, he was of course right. Nonetheless, the company's heroism was in the same vein. In the words that former Marine Corps commandant General Robert H. Barrow wrote to Captain Barber after the war: "I regard your performance as commander of Fox Company at Toktong Pass from 27 November to 2 December 1950 as the single most distinguished act of personal courage and extraordinary leadership I have witnessed or about which I have read." Readers of "The Last Stand of Fox Company" will see how that commendation applies to all 246 men of Captain Barber's command.

This is a great story for those who cherish our fighting men and the challenges they met as they went to war for our country. To me, the Korean War is too often The Forgotten War as history seems to point more to World War II and the Vietnam War. But Korea was a hell-hole and the story of Fox Company can only make you appreciate more what incredible fighting men our country produces.
The authors go to great lengths to tell the stories of each Marine essentially in their own words. Fighting the overwhelming forces of Chinese soldiers crossing into North Korea, these men stood their ground and gave it their all. Most were wounded, yet rather than give up they continued fighting and looked out for their buddies. The cold was unbearable and frostbite took as big a toll as gun shot wounds. Weather conditions could not have been worse, yet they fought on.
The bravery was almost universal and after reading this account you will well know why our Marines are considered one of the best disciplined and toughest fighting units in the world. As you read, you'll come to feel you know each of these brave men. They put it all on the line and you can thank God we continue to have men of that caliber in our military today. Good history. Good story. Great men!

I have been doing promotional design and communications for years. And I have never seen such a straight forward, concise, personable and well written resource. Great format! This book is a discovery so well rendered that I was left wishing I had found it years ago. It is not just for fundraising... it's about connecting with people who care about your organization, certainly our most important circle of individuals. Thank you! SO glad a friend referred me to it. Short, sweet and well worth ten times the cost. -C

.....unless you are ready to start making lots of money with your newsletters! We were getting ready to prepare our next newsletter, hoping to raise enough money to at least pay for the cost of printing and mailing it out. I decided that this book sounded worth reading, so I ordered it. I was surprised and pleased with all the great information packed in this book. It explained in great detail the mistakes that are made in writing newsletters and why many of them don't bring in much (if any) money. If you are wondering how to jazz up your own newsletter, don't waste another second - get this book and start making those changes. In just a couple of weeks, we have made more than we ever made with our previous newsletters, so we are very excited! Who knew that headlines could be so important????? This book paid for itself with the next newsletter we sent out!

After reading Tom Ahern's "How to Write Fundraising Materials That Raise More Money: The Art, the Science, the Secrets" straight though, I read this one straight through too. Since much of the material was reiterated in a different way, I was able to skim yet have a much fuller understanding of the concepts. I would read both as they are both valuable. I never read books straight through, these are different. I found these to be riveting and rejuvenating. Fun, fast, easy reads that impart an amazing amount of insight into writing for fundraising.

Concisely and sharply written with easy to use advice. Affirmed things that I "knew" but had forgotten about. Used the advice and our newest newsletter has much more "pop" to it. I'll be interested to see if there will be an uptick in donations following its release in a week or so.

Hi Tom,



Your book Raising More Money With Newsletters Than You Ever Thought Possible is terrific!



I started reading it just after completing a quarterly newsletter. I can't seem to finish your book because I keep running to the computer to "fix up" the thing I had thought was a newsletter. I am reading this on a stay-at-home-day-for-reading and when I'm not at the keyboard I am phoning colleagues with new ideas. They may never let me read again.



I heard you speak at the AFP Congress in Toronto and knew this would be a good book. Thanks for making it even better than that.



Are you changing the world? Maybe not. But you are certain to change newsletter writing!



Julie Kinkaid

Anyone who likes Larry Niven's work at all should be happy with this book.

From Tom Clancy's introduction, along with others by co-authors and editors, through all the stories - and this basically includes his best work of all (Inconstant Moon and All the Myriad Ways), along with some other good stories. In fact, even with the excerpt scores averaging almost 3.50.

Even the excerpts are well done, the fun scene from Ringworld a good choice, for example.

Throughout, Niven offers commentary, and non-fiction pieces include an extensive look at how they put together the setting for The Mote In God's Eye, and also a piece outlining plans to write something that would satirise Known Space as all a hoax.

Then at the end a few thoughts and an advice paper apparently that he and some other writers, including Pournell did for some political body or other.

I'd probably call this a 4.25 I think.

N-Space : excerpt from World of Ptavvs - Larry Niven
N-Space : Bordered in Black - Larry Niven
N-Space : Convergent Series [short story] - Larry Niven
N-Space : All the Myriad Ways [short story] - Larry Niven
N-Space : excerpt from A Gift from Earth - Larry Niven
N-Space : For a Foggy Night - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Meddler - Larry Niven
N-Space : Passerby - Larry Niven
N-Space : excerpt from Ringworld - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Fourth Profession - Larry Niven
N-Space : Inconstant Moon [short story] - Larry Niven
N-Space : What Can You Say about Chocolate Covered Manhole Covers? - Larry Niven
N-Space : Cloak of Anarchy - Larry Niven
N-Space : excerpt from Protector - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Hole Man [short story] - Larry Niven
N-Space : Night on Mispec Moor - Larry Niven
N-Space : Flare Time - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Locusts - Larry Niven and Steven Barnes
N-Space : excerpt from The Mote in God's Eye - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
N-Space : Mote Lite - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
N-Space : Brenda - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Return of William Proxmire - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Tale of the Jinni and the Sisters - Larry Niven
N-Space : Madness Has Its Place - Larry Niven
N-Space : The Kiteman - Larry Niven


She puffs on Pluto.

3 out of 5


Overcee project farm people find.

3 out of 5


Demon summoming time limit Atom solution.

3.5 out of 5


Murder maybe multiverse.

4.5 out of 5


Slowboat reservation.

3 out of 5


Vaguely lost.

3 out of 5


PI no Martian Manhunter.

3.5 out of 5


A specially adapted ramscoop ship pilot gets in trouble in space, when he sees a large golden alien humanoid. He finds himself rescued and transported 12 light years instantaneously back to Earth.

3.5 out of 5


Various biffo, with or without laser beams.

3.5 out of 5


Alien alcohol test case quad pill investigation.

3.5 out of 5


Really lunary weather we're having.

4.5 out of 5


Strange party alien trip.

3 out of 5


Free Park experiment not bright.

4 out of 5


Three stage dude adjustment.

3 out of 5


Quantum black hole is ridiculous overkill.

3.5 out of 5


Offworld mercenary Cabell nightwalker Spectrum Cure.

4 out of 5


Fuxed up entertainment production mission.

3.5 out of 5


Monkey kid form peak.

4 out of 5


Abandon ship, the little bastiches have weapons.

3.5 out of 5


Hey! That looks different.

3.5 out of 5


Sauron attacks Dagon City. Who'd like to see that?

3.5 out of 5


Heinlein time alteration.

3.5 out of 5


Harem sneaky story.

3 out of 5


ARM to schizo arm.

3.5 out of 5


Flying lessons.

3 out of 5

This book is at the top of my "If I were stranded on a desert island..." list. I don't love everything Niven's ever written, but this sampler has something for everyone. This isn't just the best of Niven, it's some of the best SF written in the last 40 years. What's also nice is the inclusion of hard-to-find stories like "For A Foggy Night" and the non-fiction slice of life stuff. NSpace, Playgrounds of the Mind, and the later Scatterbrain provide an unparalleled look at the career of one of SFs greats. If you read no other science fiction this decade, read these books.

I purchased "N-Space" and its sequel "Playgrounds Of The Mind" in summer of 1992, totally unaware of who Larry Niven was, or that he already had such a lengthy history in the science fiction community. At that point (my first year in college) I had not read a lot of SF beyond the confines of Star Trek novels; save the space opera of W. Michael Gear and the military SF of Chris Bunch & Allan Cole. I didn't even really know what 'hard' science fiction was, and picked up "N-Space" and "Playgrounds Of The Mind" because I was pining for something different--perhaps more challenging?

Oh boy, did I ever get my wish! I soon discovered that "N-Space" is not a straightforward science fiction novel, but rather a mega-compilation of short stories, novellas, and outtakes from novels, spanning Niven's (apparently) decades-spanning SF career. I spent the fall and winter of 1992 totally falling in love with Niven's various universes, and the characters that inhabit them. Moreover, I fell in love with the 'hard' aspect of Niven's work, which compared to the space opera I had been previously reading, was rigorously rooted in the realities of physics and science. I was enchanted by the idea that you could stick to real science (mostly) and still tell amazing and adventurous science fiction stories. In fact, much of Niven's hard SF ranks superior to a great deal of softer material precisely because of its 'realistic' flavor. The generic, and often rubbery gadgets and technology of softer fare is religiously replaced in Niven's work by concrete extrapolations, based on what we understand about the universe in the present time.

Now, with that in mind, I would caution younger or less experienced readers, where "N-Space" is concerned. Especially since the book is not a novel unto itself, it's easy to get lost or distracted in this book. So many different ideas, concepts, times, places, and characters, are all hurled at you at once. If you're not ready to hang on for the ride, you're liable to get thrown off! Thus, if you're brand new to science fiction, or if you were like I was, and only familiar with media SF or military/opera, you need to understand that "N-Space" is a very different kind of book that gives a very different kind of read.

Still, Niven has enormous talent, not just for telling hard SF stories, but for telling them with wit, insight into character, and not just a little humour. His imagination when it comes to world-creation is dazzling, and his alien races and places are some of the most memorable I have ever read. Like a smorgasbord, "N-Space" gives us a healthy portion from virtually all of Larry's playgrounds, both well known and obscure. By the time I was done with "N-Space" I launched voraciously into "Playgrounds Of The Mind", which is essentially the second half of "N-Space"; the two books serving as the first and second parts of one, giant collection.

I've since gone on to explore the majority of the works that "N-Space" touches upon, and after a decade of consuming Niven I consider him to be, perhaps, my all-time favorite SF writer. "N-Space" is not his best single work, it is the best from his best, and as such, makes an outstanding primer for anyone who has never read Niven, but wants to becoming broadly and deliciously acquainted with his work.

I am a lapsed Niven fan having discovered him in the late '70s as a kid. Something spurred me to buy N-Space as a way to rediscover what I cherished about his unique mix of hard sci-fi and realistic human emotion.
Thank goodness! When I was done I had to immediately start picking up where I left off with "The Mote in God's Eye" and I look forward to re-reading treasures like "Footfall." Perhaps I'll just start at the beginning and work my way up? :)

At one time the term "science fiction" caused eyebrows to raise. "Isn't that reading for losers who can't relate to others well?" Larry Niven is one of the authors who forever changed the way SF is perceived, one whose fiction emphasizes science without cutting short on any of the tools of your typical brilliant writer of fiction. This gives us well-sculpted characters, even in the shortest of stories, with eye-opening and theoretically sound scientific concepts, plot twists, and remarkable endings. Satisfying story after satisfying story.

What's unique about this collection isn't that it includes a foreward with comments by other authors and fans, or that the author comments on each piece within the collection. Those are commonplace. But in Niven's world, he likes to let you into his world in a special way, perhaps by dishing some dirt on an SF mag who rejected a story that turned out to win a Hugo, etc. He openly questions his finished product, saying that "Today I'd write this story differently," etc. As if we could lift the lid on his cranium and step inside for a moment, seeing how the stories are crafted. Very interesting.

Not as interesting as the work, however, another unique thing about this collection: Not only short stories are collected here, many of which only appeared in one issue of some now-defunct SF mag or other, dating back to the mid 1960s upward to 1990 when this book was first published. He also includes essays, such as an unforgettable commentary on the problems Superman would have if he tried to mate with Lois Lane, as well as excerpts from his published novels at the time. A terrific sampler of a terrific author, whose early-70s work "Ringworld" stands as one of the most brilliant works of speculative fiction of all time. Intelligentsia still debates the validity of its scientific assumptions, and while even Niven admits that most of these have been disproven, how many SF works do you know that sparked so much debate while still being so widely admired?

Niven is far, far beyond any alien shoot-em-up author. This ain't "Star Trek." This is real scientific fiction told by a natural storyteller who loves what he does. We readers love him for it.

These original Scott golfers would like to say as they teed off, Hit it far and sure. This book on them is just that, far and sure. It goes a long way in linking us golfers today with the Morrises and their other links buddies. Like many, I have heard about the infamous Morris' and golf's grand start in Scotland. This is done in such an intimate and flowing story form that you're brought right back into the times these two great golfers teed it up.

There is much history and culture of the times which makes it all that much more realistic and captivating: how we got to eighteen, the 4 1/2 cup and end of stymy, and on and on are here. I appreciate the candor and way in which the author acknowledges the Scottish help in received in putting this together, even those who had written previous books but still felt compelled to provide all support and research that they knew of. Admirable on both parts! If you have not read it yet, do read "The Edict."

The sadness of the deaths of his family before him, and his keeping on till the end as well as his faith life, reading the Bible daily, will endear this book and family to me and other readers. So, far and sure!

This book was a finalist for sports book of the year in the UK in 2007, and won the Book-of-the-Year Award from the United States Golf Association. Kevin Cook hits it "far and sure."

If you want to learn some of the history of Scottish golf, this is a great book. It is very readable and interesting. I wish I had read it before we made our first trip to play golf in Scotland last year.

Simply put, this has it all, from facts we all thing we know, to the lives of this family both the glorious and the very lowest God can hand to us.

In 2001 when my middle daughter was accepted to the University of St Andrews we were elated about the prospect of her studing abroad in a first class institution and she was especially excited about being a classmate of Prince William. Golf was an after thought. I had only begun playing a few years earlier and carried a 14 handicap. I read several books on the history of the town of St Andrews and played the course over a dozen times during the ensuring four years. When a friend metioned that he had read "Tommy's Honor" I was lukewarm but took his advice I ordered the book through Amazon. It was one the best written and compelling books I've ever had the chance to read. The humanity of the characters and the richness of the story line compares well with the best novels. I visited the grave site with mild curosity before but now I am making plans to return to St Andrews to play and to walk in the steps of Old and Young Tom Morris.

Fred Fernatt MA,MS,CPA,CFP

This book must be read by everyone! Tom & Birgit have creatively told a story that everyone will embrace and learn from. I thank them for defining the only way to live! Your life will change if you put these strategies into action!

Who Will Do What By When is a stellar little book with a BIG message we ALL need to hear and act on: Live in integrity and commitment and you'll achieve your every goal....it's that simple. Thank you Tom and Birgit for this easy but powerful read...a must for anyone who truly wants to go to the next level in life!

The Hanson's book is a great book for managers and team members. It focuses in on accountability, team playing and the importance of commitments. The book is a must read that applies to organizations big and small even to families. The authors offer many insights into interpersonal behavior and explain the need for clarity in communications as a way to help have expectations become realities. I would recommend this book to friends, family and colleagues.

Some books have a way of teaching important lessons in a pleasant and enjoyable manner, without judgment, while clarifying otherwise complex and disruptive issues, and this is one of those books!

In clear and simple language, with well illustrated examples, the authors demonstrate how the little things we overlook each day, compound until one day things go wrong. If we are not aware of these little things, we probably won't even know what happened.

By gently informing the reader of the subtle ways that we damage our lives, we feel like someone should have told us sooner!

I highly recommend this book for your personal life. If you read it for your business, you will enhance your business relationships. Virtually everyone in a business is accountable, and therefore they can benefit from this book. If you make it available to your key employees and sales teams, who probably have to meet many expectations, they will see the benefits.

J.D. Salem
Tampa, FL

This book allowed me to understand how damaging it is to not keep a promise. These things happen and when they do, the book clearly explains how to repair the damage. I was so impressed with this book that I have purchased copies for all of my employees and extras to give to special people as a gift. "Who Will Do What By When" is life changing. It very simply explains how to word requests such that everyone understands what they must do by when. This provides accountability. It is an exceptional book, easy to read and short.

Another wonderful Chicken Soup book. Stories that will make your eyes well up. If you like this, you may love: The Ultimate Volunteer Guidebook for Young People. Buy both as a gift today and the volunteer in your life will love you for it.

'Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul' was well received by our volunteers, and it has also touch many people's hearts.
Marion Jones
The Connecticut Institute for the Blind/Oak Hill

I am a volunteer my self at the my cities animal shelter. And I am going to let the president of the volunteers borrow it after I am done. I hope they make more about volunteering.

I just finished "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer Soul," which is an excellent and inspirational book. Also, a few weeks ago, I went on a Social and Service Justice Retreat. Since reading this book, making the retreat, and other inevitable signs, I feel inspired to find a place to volunteer.

Sarah

Gurnee, Illinois

I would recommend reading "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul" to anyone who has a sincere interest in his fellowmen and possesses the capacity to relate to the needs, sorrows, and joys of others. I was impressed by the work's intent, format, and content. The selections are comprehensive and meaningful, offering a wide range of volunteer experiences for the information, delight, compassion, and consideration to the book's readers. Hopefully, this publication will encourage countless individuals to find the necessary reason and desire to give of their own time, talents, and hearts to those in need in our society. For others, it will provide an understanding of the wonderful gifts of volunteering for the volunteer.