Insight Books

For anyone spending time in Mexico, doing business in Mexico, or considering relocating to Mexico, this is a quick, must-read that will eliminate many of the frustrations which so often accompany North Americans south of the border.
An example: Americans and Canadians often criticize Mexicans for failing to follow through on a promise (perhaps for a deadline that was not met.) It is helpful to understand that the goal of the Mexican who participated in the conversation in which the promise was made, was that the other party (You!) leave the conversation HAPPY. If making a promise that the other party wanted would make him/her happy, then, such promise was made -- perhaps even though it was obviously a long-shot. And, for non-Catholics, the role that the Colonial Catholic Church had in the creation of the Mexican thought process is worth exploring and understanding. This is not a deep thesis, but rather a sort-of "Mexican Psychology for Dummies" and it is both useful and entertaining.

Another insightful treatise from a recognized expert on the cultures of Mexico, Japan, Korea and China. The author reveals the reality of Mexico that lies beind its variety of masks: "piety, pride, courage, gaiety, indifference and stoicism." Another well written, concise, reader-friendly book by this prolific author on how the historical circumstances of Mexico's past - i.e. aggressive religious intolerance, corruption, racism, male chauavinism and an elitist political system forged the character of all Mexicans -- "Spanish, Mestizos and Indians alike." It is surely evident to all thinking human beings that unless we understand our neighbors all over the world, we will never be able to live in peace and harmony. This book is yet another example of this author's continuing desire to futher the cause of cultural understanding between peoples of our world. His motto: Study the history of the country! Words to live by! It's a great read. Fern Stewart Welch is the author of "The Heart Knows the Way -- How to Follow Your Heart to a Conscious Connection with the Divine Spirit Within."

In "Why We Talk: the Truth Behind Word-of-Mouth", retail advertising and marketing expert Bolivar Bueno (a partner in Nonbox consulting, an Orlando, Florida-based consumer insight think tank) lays out seven principles for creating memorable customer experiences that will prompt those customers to share with their friends and families those favorable impressions that successful commercial transactions produce. Businessmen and marketing directors will learn just what motivates a consumer or a customer to 'spread the word' about a company and its products -- producing an unpaid advertising benefit that can insure a prosperous bottom line to any corporate endeavor. "Why We Talk" is a solidly informative and 'reader friendly' addition to any personal, professional, corporate, academic, or community American Business Studies reference collection or supplemental reading list.

This book is brilliant. I'm over all the books suggesting ways to manipulate WOM. Understanding it, being sincere about utlising it is far more valuable to business marketers. I'm online now to buy another 4 copies to send to my favorite clients.

Zollo does a fabulous job of aquatinting the audience with one of largest consumer groups, the teen. He is gracious enough to present all the data (and there is a lot of it) in a way that is digestible and applicable. As a research director for an advertising firm that develops marketing media specifically for teens, you can be sure that "The End of Marketing As We Know It" will be referenced often.

This is an interesting book,which uses real-life examples to demonstrate just what will make a teenager want pull out his/her wallet--and apparently it's a wallet filled with spending cash! It's interesting to learn just how influential teens are when it comes to the purchases of their parents, too. I'm not even in the marketing industry--but I found the book's insights fascinating. If you're interested in selling to to this huge ($100 billion!) market, or just want to learn more about teens and their attitudes, values,etc. you'll find this book very entertaining as well as informative.

A lot of history is presented in this book. There's 269 pages of text with 34 pages of footnotes. I learned a lot just from the historical materials presented. Turner's inferences seemed compelling, although my own ignorance in this area prevents me from being certain he's on the mark. However, nothing he said contradicted what I expected. I remain open to other sources including reviewers of Turner, but this work appears to be sharp and enriching.

I've heard many different ideas about God and, until I read this book, I was largely unaware of their historicity. I viewed arguments about God as being believers versus unbelievers: it hadn't occurred to me that, in attempting to adjust to modern developments, Christian leaders had themselves reduced the need for God as an explanation. Although Turner seems impartial, his research has done unbelief a great service. Not that unbelievers should be complacent, but it does seem reassuring that modern historical developments have undermined, and should continue to undermine, the need for religious belief and allow for more constructive responses to the human predicament. Historical determinism? Or just humanity growing up?

This book is excellently written and very illuminating on the subject of how it came to be possible that a person could say 'I don't believe in God.' Turner takes the reader through history from the Rennaissance to the mid-19th century to show the progress of unbelief. Interestingly, his thesis, which is very well argued, is that it was the Church herself who let in the demons of unbelief, which usually came in the form of scientific discovery. In brief, the Church shot herself in the foot.

This is not a tract against the Church, though. It is very clearly written to show how those events and beliefs which undermined the legitimacy of the Church were not necessarily bad; it was the Church who made them so. For example, scientific discovery in itself was not bad, but the Church before the scientific revolution had based its legitimacy so strongly on the literal account of Creation, for example, that when there was doubt thrown on that theory, everything began to crumble.

Turner is pretty much done with his story by the mid 1800s, before Darwin's _Origin of Species_ was published. Contrary to popular imagination, Darwin's theory was not particularly groundbreaking in the case for atheism; the groundwork had already been set.

This book is not difficult to read at all, yet it tackles some tough subject material. Highly recommended for readers of all scientific and religious backgrounds.

Having just today (1-30-08) finished a workshop containing presentations by Dr. Skip Moen, I strongly endorse his insights into styles of leadership. We in the west have thoroughly been influenced by the Hellenistic model of leadership and Skip presents a fresh Biblical alternative style which has dramatic implications for the church, counseling, leadership development, and Christian living. Hopefully, there will be more to come! Dr. Hackler, Florida Christian University

This is a powerful book. It has greatly impacted my approach to ministry/leadership. Using the original languages to bring out the meaning of different words and phrases from Scripture, Dr. Moen paints a picture of what a godly leader should be. If you want to be challenged to be the kind of servant leader that Jesus Christ was and wants you to be then this devotional book is for you.

My life was changed by the contents of this book. From now on my perspective on how to create the organization I want to work in has gone from the realm of the theoretical to the practical. I know it can be done now and know just how to go about doing it. There is hope. The book is written in a clear and concise manner allowing the reader to easily follow the line of thinking of the authors. I found the examples given to be moving and I could readily relate to them. I've already begun to use the techniques outlined and have been exceedlingly impressed by the changes I've seen in my organization.

There are many books espousing to have the silver bullet for all that ails our workplaces and our organizations. But most fail to address the core reason beneath the symptons represented by what we call performance gaps. This book goes to the core reason, to the missing element in most of our workplaces - humanism. It provides practical step-by-step methods to bring back that missing link. It is easy to read and chock full of useful applications.

Dave Pendlum, Alexandria, VA

This book both informs and touches at the same time. It is a comforting resource that answers important questions in non-pedantic and relevant language. More than a "how-to" manual, the topics ranging from dying to mourning to memory speak in just the right tone.

I have loaned my copy out many times to friends sitting shiva and they tell me that it was a true comfort, just as it was for me in my time of need. Through this brilliant compilation of essays from a broad range of authoritative sources, Rabbi Riemer provides us with a reassuring mix of practical and spiritual. I wish every Jewish household would have this title in its library. Wrestling with the Angel: Jewish Insights on Death and Mourning

Nachamu, nachamu Ami, yomar Elokaichem. Give comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God.

Rabbi Jack Riemer (a wonderful speaker, I've heard, though I've never heard him myself) edits this fine collection of essays and other works on modern Jewish attitudes towards death (most perspectives are from Conservative or Reform, incidently)

Contains sections on (among others) illness, death, and the mourning and burial rituals of Judaism, from Chevra Kadisha to burial to shiva to Kaddish.

The discussions are highly relevant for today. From beginning a Chevra Kadisha in an area of California with few Jews, to memories of saying Kaddish with other mourners, this gives contemporary perspectives on this normal and inescapable part of life.

The book contains explanations of the mourning rituals that should benefit someone who needs a quick understanding of them due to tragedy, or impending tragedy. But there are any number of guides to death and mourning in Judaism. By adding the essays and perspectives, the book offers both learning and comfort.

THE RIGHT TO WRITE was my first introduction into Ms. Cameron's wonderful spiritual world of God and writing. She always has something wonderful to say. This is the BEST inspiration into writing which I have ever read. (If only I could take a class from her!!!) The necessity of writing which can release yourself into a new and wonderful world is so creative and liberating any one who loves life itself should read this book.

To those who it helps this is a good book. There is a lot of positive advice that can help people write, and perhaps feel better about themselves and their lives. This is good.
But I have been a writer for many many writers , and writing it seems to me is a far more painful, difficult, problematic activity than this book suggests. Writing involves coming to terms in some way with what one cannot do as a writer. It involves dealing with one's own failures and one's effort to overcome those failings. My writing life begins in suffering, warding off madness. It continues in trying to understanding the suffering of others I loved, and what such suffering can mean. Writing is so so many different things that I do not wish to generalize or make my own experience the model for anyone. I just would say ' simple formulas help sometimes' but for many writers the search for the truth in writing does not necessarily lead to some world of happiness or greater hope.
Writing has kept me going, helped give meaning to my life, and as with Kafka has been a kind of prayer.
I hope this review does not discourage any reader of this little book. And I also hope my few words have indicated to you what you probably already know, writing can be not so simple and so easy.

It's an excellent resource, particularly in ESL, where writing theory and pedagogy is so poorly documented and researched. I'm sorry that it's out of print.

A must-have volume for the second language writing teacher

i found this book realy inspiring. the quotations come from buddhist scriptures, and a wide variety of sources.The pearls are linked in each section by the introduction,writen by the editor, who writes both clearly and manages to convey very clearly concepts that many people at first find strange, 'eastern' foreign or just confusing. This is a great companion for any one who has a sincere interest in the buddhist path,is tired with the ceasless frustrations of life,( samsara) and needs some pointers on the way,the way of practice that directly offers the way out of suffering, called by many liberation. A beautiful and inspiring book.