Careers Books

Decent book, after years of being in business it didn't really reveal a huge amount of info for me but it was still an easy quick read and I wouldn't say it was a waste of time even with my experience. For an inexperienced designer just starting out this could be a wealth of knowledge.

I think that this a really nice introduction to a career in graphic design field. Mostly it seems to be directed at someone who is in the middle of the road, so to speak, but I think that newbies will also find some nice tips on how to avoid headaches and pitfalls of this specific business.

This is a good guide for those designers who are thinking about going freelance. The book summarizes basics of the business, financial topics and absolutely necessary ethics. ALL freelance web designers without a formal business education should read and learn these fundamentals for being a professional.

I've never bothered to give a review before, but this book is so helpful I had to put it down for a moment and give my two cents. I've been in the industry for four years and am in the process of going freelance. This book gives excellent advice for drumming up business. Not vague at all.

It would also be extremely helpful for people looking for their first job after design school.

Well, here I was, too distracted to write a proper raving review because I was busy absorbing in all of the wonderful, easy to follow and sometimes downright humorous advice from a long awaited book that is refreshingly geared towards design professionals of any level. Novices will definitely appreciate the start-up tips from the perspectives of a virtual plethora of experienced design communicators from all over. More experienced designers will find helpful suggestions on effectively managing and growing their career. And of course, what good resource is complete without detailing some very useful advice about avoiding pitfalls and other related issues along the way.

With an abundance of references and resources that include contracts, networking, self promotion and more importantly, a guide on how to realistically rate your services, The Savvy Designer's Guide To Success delivers on an even more important level; raising one's awareness on the often underrated value of the Creative Communications Designer.

A treasure has landed in my lap in the form of Dia North's new book, "The Smart Spot." In my dance training, I'm always helping people get centered and aligned with their physical body so that they may experience freedom through movement. With Dia's clear and simple guidance, I can also assist myself and my students in contacting and connecting with the creative core of intuition and higher mind. What better place to listen from?

Lisa Alpine, co-author "Wild Writing Women"

A groundbreaking work with a new perspective on how to achieve successful outcomes in business. I use the Smart Spot techniques daily.

Nancy Copeland, President, Copeland Strategies

With great examples from the world of business and deep metaphysical truth, The Smart Spot builds a bridge from commerce to spirit that's 'Spot On'.

Patricia Aburdene, coauthor, "Megatrends" series

This work unveils a well-tested new synthesis of concepts and lays out breakthrough methodology for managing personal power which literally brings deep spiritual wisdom "down to earth." Dia North's work is cutting edge with its sharp emphasis on an expanded redefinition of intuition as the intentional direction of the interactive functions of intellect, spirit, emotion, physical awareness, and more. The process North offers can be done effectively to achieve success in grand business collaboration, to create positive intended outcomes vis a vis a full spectrum of short-term personal goals, or to discover a creative path that will deliver on an individual's life purpose.

The Smart Spot is an experiential read, in that it carves out a clear path for consciously claiming and directing enormous freedom to yield desired outcomes with integrity. Stories from North's professional consulting practice spice the information liberally with real-life examples of how the process generates intended results. The implementation exercises, in combination, could be summed up as an indispensable manual for harnessing and focusing energy to hit the bulls-eye every time. Readers will recognize and trust the solid logic that emerges as they test out this fluid magic.

Deceptively simple and highly accessible, this book will be exciting and encouraging to anyone bent on realizing their dreams and having a good time doing it. The practical applications are unlimited because the method can be taken, layer by layer, to greater depths. This is a joyful book, destined to delight the hard-boiled pragmatist and the self identified "mystically attuned" with the same human punch and universal force.

The Smart Spot is an easily read book, written in simple language with simple instructions. The book is written with a friendly, enthusiastic tone. What The Smart Spot does best is to straddle both the business world and "New Age" type thinking which stresses the unseen but powerful energy of the individual and what it can accomplish, if only certain mental exercises are followed.

Skeptics may be won over by the success stories recounted in anecdotes. Business leaders report that they access an intuition from within themselves to make important decisions. The author dissects this process and makes it available to all, through a step by step process. Helpful details to the four step process are given, including using the color gold in visualizations, because of its particular "energy."

The Smart Spot stresses collaboration, not ruthless competition as a basis for success. The book emphasizes the best result for all concerned, as a refreshing change from those books which promote business strategies designed to conquer the competition. I think this would be a helpful book for a person in a decision-making capacity who is looking for a guide to help with important choices.

Lee Milteer's book, "Spiritual Power Tools for Successful Selling" has helped me greatly in my everyday life. As a small business owner and not a "professional salesman", it has helped me to put my marketing efforts in perspective. In my opinion, my business and myself are better for having read this book.

"Everyone is in sales. No matter your title or profession, anyone who has succeeded at anything is an effective salesperson. You sell your knowledge. Talents, abilities, experiences, point of view, beliefs, values, and your enthusiasm daily."

Spiritual Tools for Successful Selling reminds the reader if you believe in what you do and allow yourself to be enthused about your job you will automatically be more successful. Too often money becomes the sole purpose of our work creating a cycle of stress, decreased enthusiasm about one's work, and reduced ability to perform. However, once the job becomes more about being present, helping others with their needs, and enjoying the experience, we naturally become less stressed, passionate, and creative about our work allowing success to follow naturally.

Sometimes we all need a little reminder that our chosen life work isn't just about money. Yes, money is pretty helpful to have but often we get so stressed about earning it that we never really get to enjoy the things we do have: our friends, our family, and others that we make connections with each day.

This book has a rather unusual, somewhat low-key approach toward sales expertise, but it is couched in such logical, practical, useful terms that it brings a different perspective to selling. Granted, it does emphasize the fact that one should like, or feel good, about whatever one sells, as though it was a joy and privilege to offer people something useful and desirable. The book offers specific guidance to this end. Lee Milteer, author of the previously well-received "Success is an Inside Job," makes a strong case for merging the spiritual aspects of one's life with a professional career. The rewards of such a merger, both personally and professionally, are worth examining. If anyone on your gift list is involved in sales or marketing, this could be a welcome offering.

Spiritual Power Tools is an amazing book that will keep you from every feeling rejected again in the business world. Lee Milteer encourages the reader to not take what others do personally. This book goes beyond the average self help-sales book to tell the reader how important it is to acknowledge your true nature, stay in integrity, use your imagination to create your own reality. This is a rare book of insight, wisdom and uplifting tools to assist anyone in the business world blend their own personal spiritual beliefs with the reality of the business world. After reading Lee Milteer's other books I can say that she continues to share the most practical and useful information in an easy to use format. Guaranteed to make you feel more successful.

This book is an inspiration! The more you read, the more motivated, enthusiastic and inspired you become. The book teaches you how to approach any situation positively so you will succeed!

I truly recommend this book to everyone, even if you are not directly in sales! You won't be disappointed.

This book is amazing. Simply amazing. The quality of storytelling is phenomenal and said in simple and plain language so everyone can understand. Reading every page is like having a conversation with the author. Unlike many from this genre, it is not hokey and it is so easily applied to everyday life. It speaks on many topics in life from relationships, to death, to substance abuse, and more. It truly provides a great guide on how to live a fulfilling life. I have never been so moved by any other book as much as I have been with this one. As a therapist he has touched countless lives and continues to do so in his first book. Mark's experiences are amazing and he draws upon thousands of life-stories to share some of the most beneficial thoughts you may ever read.

Upon reading and finishing the book, I found it to be the best self-help book I have ever read. It has helped me to become more centered and to get back in touch with my beliefs and better my behaviors.

I have been going through an extremely stressful time, and it was very needed. It is a deep book, but it is written in a nice, relaxing and caring way. I love the way the author injects personal experiences into the book because it makes the author and the book seem more real. Most books like this preach to the reader and tend to make the person feel inadequate.

I intend to reread this over time as I need it.Stories From The Couch: And Other Telling Tales

Dr. Mark Benn is a long time good friend and has had great influence in my life through his "stories from the couch and other telling tales" that I've had the privilege to hear many times in person. Congratulations on the publication Mark! I bought 6 copies immediately and gave them to my colleagues whose lives I also know Mark has touched.

Dr. Benn is a professor at Colorado State University and i have had the pleasure of taking his course where i was lucky enough to have heard many of these stories as told by him. Let me say it is better in person but this book really captures the stories well.

Stories from the Couch is one of the most relevant books I have ever read. It contains concise, entertaining vignettes that will help anyone be a better person and understand others. What a wonderful moondance!

The book begins with a foreword titled: "It's not supposed to be this way." The authors outline the problems and issues that many people have with performance appraisals. Then they make two key points. Here's the first one.

"Rather than a painful yearly event, performance appraisals can be viewed as a discussion, a culmination of small meetings held throughout the evaluation period."

In other words, performance review grows out of supervision. The rest of the book assumes that those "discussions" are going on. They're necessary to the process, but they're not the subject of the book.

The authors also make the point that: "In one form or other, performance reviews will continue to be a fact of our work life. This book is designed to cut through the anxiety and make the process, or series of discussions, more pleasant and productive."

Even though there are some people calling for the abolition of performance reviews as we know them, that's not likely to happen on a large scale any time soon. If the place that you work has a formal performance appraisal process now, you can count on having to deal with it for years to come.

I assume that if you're considering purchasing this book you will either be looking for ways to make your company's performance review system better or you will be looking for ways to make the process of actually doing performance reviews with your subordinates less daunting. For that reason, I'll split my analysis and recommendations into two parts.

Designing the Performance Review System

If you are responsible for designing or re-designing the performance review system in your organization, this is a book you should read. The research that's referred to matches up well with research I've done and read. The authors do a good job of presenting it and drawing conclusions.

They're also thorough. There's discussion of the current state of performance reviews, supervisor-employee relationships, scorecards, compensation, and much more.

Working Managers

If you are a working manager who has to do appraisals within your organization's system you will find some helpful material here, too. There's good discussion of how appraisals go off track. The authors cover different kinds of rating errors. And, there's material on actually conducting the appraisal.

But this part of the book is not as strong as the part about designing formal appraisal systems. There's not much depth or reach to the material on face-to-face discussion of behavior and performance issues.

That's because those are peripheral issues for the authors in this book. If you want more on face to face discussion, read my book, Performance Talk: the one-on-one part of leadership, which deals specifically with that aspect of supervision.

That's a quibble, though. Stress-Free Performance Appraisals is a solid, well-researched and well-written book that can help you improve the performance review process in your company.

Everyone, it seems, hates performance appraisals. Some corporate cultures compel managers to "grade on the curve," which means that even good employees may have to fail. Even in less draconian corporate cultures, performance appraisals require supervisors to tell people about their shortcomings, an uncomfortable exercise for both the appraiser and the appraised. Meanwhile, lurking in the not-too-distant background is the threat of litigation instigated by an employee whose appraiser lets slip an awkward reference to race, sex, age or some other legally proscribed subject. This book tells you how to avoid the stress and anxiety of appraisals by focusing on a few basics. Authors Sharon Armstrong and Madelyn Appelbaum provide valuable counsel - albeit not terribly well organized - for people on both sides of the desk, both the supervisor and the employee. We recommend the authors' useful potpourri of advice, role playing exercises, case histories, evaluation forms and observations about appraisals to everyone who participates in a performance appraisal system and certainly to anybody who runs one.

Sharon Armstrong is a known expert in the field of performance appraisals and human resources training and her latest book does a fantastic job of covering a critical issue for any manager. This is a must read for any manager or would-be manager - its well-written, easily readable, and has the capacity to improve any workplace. Strong reccommend!

This is a great resource for HR consultants and practioners who are creating innovative performance management systems for their organizations. It addresses the underlying issues that prevent organizations from successfully managing performance and delivering candid and constructive feedback. I highly recommend it to all of my clients.

As an experienced human resources professional, I have dreamed of the day when I could create a succesful performance appraisal program. And I had concluded that there was absolutely no way to please everyone. Cheer up -- Stress-free Performance Appraisals offers a fresh perspective to this tired, worn topic.

The text is, surprisingly, useful for human resources professionals, managers, and employees. It is visually attractive and chocked full of valuable questions, extensive documentation, great examples from well-regarded organizations, and ideas to cover a variety of cultures and performance appraisal philosophies. As examples of their recommendations, the authors weave -- chapter-by-chapter -- the scenarios of three fictional employees with varying performance levels. The book is an easy read in about three hours.

This book really does have profound content. The author does an excellent job in describing an organization not just as a process, but its people too. An organization must address people as individuals to get their commitment, creativity, and loyalty. NASA could have prospered from the organizational standpoint after the Columbia tragedy by putting in place the techniques described in this book.

Reading the book Superperformance by Dave Guerra was like an "ah-ha" moment for me. Dave did a great job of condensing the concepts that I have not been able to articulate but that I intrisically knew to be true.

Having languished under many corporate structures over my career that stress "projects before people" it was refreshing to see that Dave has accurately identified a methodology for exciting human passion, validating the contributions of the individual and utilizing state-of-the-art process tools to optimize a company's performance.

Practically-speaking, I'm involved as the President/CEO of two start-up companies and the powerful business/people framework described in Dave's book is what I intend to implement going forward to create a different kind of workplace. I fully expect to see results commensurate with those he describes.

This is a thought provoking read for the leader looking to drive sustainable achievement in his/her organization.

One of the most intuitive, lucidly descriptive and amazingly illustrative content ... the HOLY GRAIL for Corporate Leaders in their Search of Excellence in this millennium. Delighted with the concept of SP consultants inside organizations and the constant mentoring/counseling provided to them thru your company and other similar beacons of enlightenment.
BJ Jhaveri (Edison, NJ)

Superperformance

Attention CEOs! Have you been disappointed with the results of your million dollar, multi year investment in Six Sigma?
Sure your black belts can demonstrate the potential of a great ROI and of course, the toolbox approach appeals to your engineering mindset, but can you answer one question with a resounding YES?
Is every person in your company a super performer?
As a long time proponent of leading from the middle, it pains me to concede that the CEO can change the culture of a company faster and more firmly than a troop of directors.
Culture change is the secret. Stop rewarding the few for analysis and start acknowledging the masses for performance.
Six sigma shows you a toolbox. Dave Guerra helps you design a roadmap. Put those expensive tools in the back of the truck and start this journey!

Super Performance is transformational! It represents a welcome and long overdue departure from traditional approaches to management and leadership. The application of Mr. Guerra's novel approach, which combines improvement and complexity sciences, is sure to contribute not only to an organization's financial and operational performance but also the satisfaction of its most valuable asset, its employees. A must read!

This is an excellent book for those of us who have been practicing therapists and have a desire to do what we actually intended when we chose this profession in the first place. The book is well written. It provides a comprehensive discussion of the differences between coaching and psychotherapy or counseling. After defining what this new and exciting field is all about, the authors have given us newcomers to the field a wonderful manual to assist us in establishing a coaching practice. You couldn't really ask for more... unless you want even more of a headstart; you might enroll in Pat's Life Coach Training course, a 30 hour course which supplements the book. A complimentary introductory session is available by going to the Institute web site,...Life coaching is a natural evolution from traditional therapy practices. Moving into this field has transformed my life. Thank you Pat and Deborah!

This book goes far beyond helping therapists transition into life coaching. It gives the reader a very clear and exciting introduction to this new and upcoming field. It was my first real introduction to coaching, yet after training in the field and went back and read it again and got even more out of it.
The book explains the difference between coaching and therapy, and also helps the reader decide which is best for her/him. Exercises are provided to help the reader's decision making. The way the book is put together the authors quite effectively coach the reader toward the possibilities and the joys of coaching. They also spend a good number of pages on how to start a coaching business. I loved it. As an aspiring life-coach I say "thank you."

There are 3 kinds of people who must read this book:
1. Therapists who are looking to add professional coaching to their list of services or who are making a transition away from traditional therapy into life coaching.
2. Professional Coaches who specialize or want to specialize in life coaching.
3. Established Life Coaches.

There is something for everyone in this book, but particularly for these 3 groups of people there is NO BETTER BOOK AVAILABLE to help you make this transition in the fastest and most efficient way possible.

Pat Williams is one of America's Top Professional Coaches. In addition to his nationally recognized coach training program (lifecoachtraining.com), he is also on the board of the International Coach Federation (coachfederation.org), one of the top speakers in the field, and on the cutting-edge of standardizing and professionalizing the field of coaching.

I can't recommend this book high enough. I firmly believe this book should be on the bookshelf of every professional life coach.

This is a truly extraordinary book that gives the reader a guide to the profession of life coaching.

It is an eyeopening source of information, not only for the business of coaching, but also for the development of their relationships with clients as well as themselves.

Chock full of resources and tools, this A MUST HAVE!

This a an extraordinary book that belongs on the shelves (and in the heart) of every therapist AND every coach. Frankly, I've heard Pat Williams speak, so I fully expected to like the book, but even so, I was surprised by just how good, how inspiring, practical and helpful it is. Williams and Davis do a great service for mental health workers, counselors, social workers and Psychologists by affirming the power of what "we" do, and by expanding the boundaries within which we operate. At the same time, they also provide a great reminder for coaches of what WE do, how we do it, and how powerful it is!

The book is elegantly laid-out, easy to follow and powerfully practical. The heart of the message is that caring for and WITH people truly matters. Whether we are labeled as "mental health practitioners" or "spiritual ministers" or coaches, we all use highly sophisticated skills, some that are ancient and timeless, and others that are new and scientifically "proven," to help people transform their lives.

The book is directly aimed at "helping professionals." The message is that what mental health professionals do is IMPORTANT, even if insurance companies and (at times) our culture fails to appreciate it. Williams and Davis present practical, do-able paths that allow professionals to reclaim their independence and do the work they love and are trained to do well.

The exciting part of the book for me, as a Psychologist who has already transitioned into coaching, was the delightful, passionate reminder of what coaches actually DO! While this is an introduction or over-view of coaching, I found the reminders, the affirmations, and the passion extremely helpful. As "people experts" it is good to be reminded of how much we know, how skilled we are, how many "tools" we have in our toolbox!

I found the book easily readable, very well-thought-out, and helpful. I highly recommend it for (1) anyone considering entering the field of coaching, (2) mental health professionals who are tired or restless and looking for a new challenge, and (3) for coaches who want a helpful survey of the skills and strengths we bring to our work. All three groups will get a tremendous lift and find it a helpful read.

My dad bought me this book after hearing about it on National Public Radio and, at first, I was a bit skeptical.
I mean, who really wants to waste time reading another boring 'How to' book on how to get a cool job?

But really, this book isn't like that at all.
It's factual of course, so you don't have to worry about how much of it is just hot air.
But it's also very comical, interesting, and respectfully realistic.
Not a candy-coater, but in no ways a dream crusher.

What more could you ask for <3?

I don't like bad language but like what this book has to offer. I purchased it for my daughter who is embarking on her new career after college. This is a good read.

Most career books I've read try to herd us into the same jobs without thinking out of the box. There are tons of other interesting, fun and well paying jobs out there that rarely seem to get mentioned. This book lists quite a few examples. It was a blast to read. It really helps expand your thinking and it makes the thought of a career change actually exciting!! And the income figures given are realistic too. Most other career books are way too low for whatever reason.

A great book and a great read!!

I was expecting this to be a lot more in-depth than it actually was. Though it profiled a lot of careers, so many classic ones were missing (lawyer and doctor for example). While it was nice to get an example schedule and salary, I wish there were more tips for achieving the jobs examined.

This book is great! It really opened my eyes to a lot of careers I never would have even heard of.

I bought this book 12 years ago, but was so crushed at the time by the idea of having failed that I couldn't pick it up to read it. Now that I have, it's been a huge blessing.

Carole Hyatt and Linda Gottlieb have written one of the most healing books I've ever read -- period. Anyone who thinks failure is a permanent condition should read this book.When Smart People Fail: Rebuilding Yourself for Success

I work as a Business Coach and Life Coach and refer clients to this book regularly. This is an older book, originally published in 1987, but its message is timeless. The authors talk about success and failure in a unique and thought-provoking way. Their primary point is that failure is a larger concern for Americans than for people in other cultures, that we are the most success-oriented people in the world. Americans don't seem to have the ability to distinguish between their judgment of events and the events themselves. We judge our lives and careers based on perceived success or failure whereas people in other cultures tend to gain a sense of self from their families or themselves.

I found this book to be compelling and useful in the context of both business and personal well-being. Understanding the historical and social aspects of the concept of failure is helpful, as is considering the two types of failure they identify: Overt failure (e.g. getting fired) and hidden failure (e.g. looking successful on the outside but feeling disappointed in oneself and like a failure inside). The book guides the reader through the process of learning from mistakes and reinterpreting the failure, not only into a learning experience but also into future success. I found this book to be both informative and practical. The subject of failure holds such taboo in our culture and yet anyone who takes risks in life will fail at some point. I think it makes sense to study the subject and emulate what the authors teach, accepting and learning from everything life's rich pageant has to offer us-Lorna Kellogg

This book was really eye-opening. The book was so encouraging. I believe this book will help many people.

I picked up this book after being let go from a F50 company late last year, and it has been a lifesaver as I've navigated unfamiliar territory. It lays out the stages most people experience when they've been fired, downsized, or eliminated -- shock, fear, anger & blame, shame, and despair. It addresses how failure changes the balance of power in a relationship, and how it affects men and women differently. It then moves to how we reinvent ourselves -- identifying the cause of failure, reinterpreting the event, relabeling yourself, and getting unstuck. There are numerous stories, including the authors' own, about failing and ultimately coming back better and stronger. One quote especially resonated with me: David Brown (he produced The Sting and Jaws, among other Hollywood blockbusters) was fired three times from top jobs. "Each time, [he] was stunned. And each time he never stopped to analyze what had caused him to be fired in the first place. Only after the third time did he begin to examine his working behavior. Why was he always running after corporate jobs...when in the end they held neither safety nor a degree of control over one's fate?" Whether you feel that corporate life is truly your calling, or you yearn for something different, this book can help you push past self-imposed limitations and re-invent your career in a unique and satisfying way.

Failure among the ambitious, upwardly mobile, educated and intelligent of our modern, industrialized society often comes across as being more devastating, more defining, and more frightening than it actually is. What in actuality defines us is not the number of our failures, but how we deal with our failure, how we look upon it, and most importantly, how we either use our failure or allow our failures to define us.

Hyatt and Gottlieb have written an excellent text on professional/career failure. The authors start the book by imparting intrepid examples both personal and private, of the emotional processes associated with failure. They accurately describe (often in painful and excruciating detail) the feelings of fear, isolation, shame and remorse associated with losing a job, status, money or some combination of the three. One can not only relate to the loss of purpose, the punctured egos, and the declining sense of self of those who have failed professionally, but also can actually feel as if it is happening to him or her- for it at some point has happened to him or her. They emphatically stress that career failure is something that eventually touches every professional, in some cases sooner, and in others, later. In this way, they show that failure has no prejudices, and everyone is a card-carrying member of this club, whether they realize it or not. As such, in dealing with failure, it is extremely important for the individual to realize that he or she is not alone in the experience, even if our greater society compels us to put up a strong front and pretend that nothing is really wrong. In order to healthily deal with failure, the authors emphasize the importance of understanding the meaning of failure in both the personal and the societal context, and elaborate upon how the feelings associated with failure unfold in the individual. Many people define themselves based on their occupation, their professional affiliation, or their status in life, and it comes as no surprise that these are the people hardest hit by career failure. Those of us who have cultivated other sides of our personality, such as those of us who live for our weekend hobbies, or those of us that are family or community oriented, tend to handle career failure much better, and can even take it in stride. Although many readers and those who have experienced failure or are currently experiencing failure may not believe it, failure actually gives people options, which the authors not only demonstrate, but also help the reader identify and ultimately take advantage of in later chapters.

In the first part of the book, one chapter each is devoted to defining the characteristics of failure at the level of the individual and the society, dealing with the feelings, which occur in stages, associated with failure, how our career failures can affect those closest to us, and how men and women respond to career failure. The second part of the book focuses on taking failure in stride, and offers a comprehensive strategy for personal reinvention after suffering a career failure. Arguably the most important part of the book, this section devotes one comprehensive chapter to each of the following topics: discovering why one has failed, gleaning from the failure some positive knowledge by re-interpreting the events leading up to the failure, recognizing and casting off old and inappropriate labels and finding new ones, expanding one's career choices, and making the transition from the old professional to the new, centered and focused individual. The authors also include in this section of the book a bonus chapter that showcases two successfully reinvented individuals, and elaborates upon the nature of their failure, how they dealt with failure, and the process of their reinvention. Each chapter in the second part of the book provides the reader with powerful tactics to build a new, improved person from career failure, and allows one to rise triumphantly out of the ashes of failure, much like the proverbial phoenix. The third and final part of the book, entitled `Towards Real Success', helps the reader to win the internal battle associated with failure. While the second part of the book helps to outwardly reinvent the individual for career success, the final section of the book helps the individual to cultivate a new perspective, a new outlook- on career failure. This part of the book encourages the reader to look upon failure as a learning experience, and as such, helps one to regard failure as a temporary setback that one can learn from.

The authors have written a truly empowering book, one that entrepreneurs and professionals must read and keep alongside all the other books on career and entrepreneurial success, as there inevitably will be one or more notable, spectacular and in some cases unfortunately public failures on the path to a successful career journey. In the end, I can only say that there is no shame in taking a risk, giving one's all, and failing, and I wholeheartedly believe that true shame results from failing to try, failing to risk, fearing change, and failing to grow. These, I truly believe, are the things that comprise the regrets in one's life.

Right off the bat I want to agree with the Minister in Colorado who stated that this book was more satisfying than "Purpose Driven Life". I too was somewhat disappointed by that book, although I do like it on some things.

But now this book. First, this book is more about LIFE lessons from Joseph than about Joseph's life. The Joseph story is one of my favorites, and I've read Swindoll, Getz, Anderson and others on Joseph's life. But as good as those are, they are soup and potatoes compared to this one--it's real meat!

This book could only be improved by an additional workbook. While there are study guides and questions in each chapter, this book will take you a while to appreciate. Every chapter goes through Joseph's life and teaches some of God's DEEPER truths such as effective prayer, election and free will, God's principle of a good leader, etc. The whole book could be summarized in Romans 8:28. So could Joseph's life.

So, if you want theology as milk soup, "Purpose Driven Life" is pretty good as far as it goes. If you're ready for something a little deeper--and you enjoy the life of Joseph--this book is truly awesome.

Get two copies. Keep one, and give the other to a college graduate heading out into the world. If they follow Joseph's 'road map', they'll never go wrong.

Solid!

ALSO RECOMMENDED: "God, Help Me Pray!" by the same author--not as long (or as expensive), but you won't find a better short work on praying!!

I'm a veteran teacher--21 years. I'm enjoying your book on Joseph. I was a teaching leader in Bible Study Fellowship for 7 years. Your understanding of doctrine is refreshing in a post modern culture. Thanks for spending the time to write the book. I'm giving copies to my children for Christmas.

I gave this book to a college graduate after ordering a copy for myself. When I first saw the title, I thought the book was just about the troubles Joseph had in Egypt. Though it is one of my favorite bible stories, I wasn't sure I wanted to read all about his troubles. Boy was I surprised.

The book is more about Joseph's lessons from life (and how we can use the principles) than his troubles. Because these lessons (or bible principles) are so relevant to us today, and contain nice illustrations, I thought it would make a great graduation gift.

I thought I knew the Joseph story pretty well till I read this book. Doing so made me appreciate how great Joseph really was.

Those who will get the most from the book:

1. Anyone wanting to REALLY get into the Joseph story.
2. Someone wanting 32 neatly divided and outstanding principles to live by. This is the best part!
3. Anyone who wants to teach the Joesph story. (You should not be without this book no matter what!)
4. Parents. Because the chapter 1 is almost an instruction manual itself on what NOT to do as a parent (Jacob).
5. Young people (college) who are graduating (IF they'll read it), because it truly is a handbook for life. Below college might be too young.
6. Anyone who is a leader of others. This is another chapter that's a book by itself. I gave a copy to my son's principle!

I must say that although I liked this book very much (my copy is falling apart), some chapters are deep, especially the discussion of election/free will. But the last chapter "Life in the rear-view mirror" will make you so glad you are a Christian, and the concluding 'Psalm of Joseph' is so realistic one might wish he really had written it.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: "God, Help Me Pray!" by the same author--not as long (or as expensive), but you won't find a better short work on praying!!

"...to be very up-front--I'm impressed! I outlined {for my book} nineteen priniciples that emerged from Jospeh's life...there are others in addition...which is obvious from your book. You are interested in principlizing--and do a good job at it!"

The following is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to the books author, Jerry Parks, after finishing the book, which I thankfully purchased after stumbling on to some positive reviews on Amazon:

[I just wanted to write you and thank you for your fine book on the life principles of Joseph. I stumbled on to it on Amazon and thought it sounded interesting, so I bought it. I read it once and my wife and I are now going through it together for a second time. The thing I like about it is that you kept it simple. It's very practical as a life manual using Joseph's life as an example. We read The Purpose Driven Life last year and thought it was good...but it left us wanting. I think the biggest difference for us, and why we like your book so much, is that Purpose seems to be very "me" focused. Ie: What is my place? What should I do? Who am I in Christ? There's nothing inherently wrong with that but I think new believers are the primary beneficiaries of it's narrow focus. Your book however, is full of deep truths on living a healthy, well-balanced, Christian life. Christianity is about service, and I believe you capture that by emphasizing how Joseph found his purpose, his place, his peace... in serving - God and others. We are so blessed in this society, and yet, as you articulate so well, we continually want more. Christians as a whole are not an exception. I was very blessed to read a book that wasn't just empty calories for the soul, but a good, filling, juicy steak!

One criticism I have is that there are a lot of textual errors in the book. I'm sure the computer didn't catch them in spell check. I would like to send you my copy with the textual errors highlighted so you can correct them for your next printing. I believe the book is awesome and don't want to see people distracted by the errors. I compare that to a child suddenly wailing at a critical time in a sermon. It doesn't necessarily diminish the entire value of the sermon, but it can distract from the individual point being made. Also, please let me know when you publish your new book on Romans. I bet it will be great!]

This is the first time I've ever felt compelled to write a review for Amazon, so obviously I think everyone reading it ought to take my advice and buy this inspired book. Better yet, buy three copies: One for you, one for your pastor, and one for someone who you believe God has called to a great purpose.