Perspective Books

I enjoyed this cd and it helped very much to understand the book of Thomas.I have listened to it many times well worth buying.I don't want to call it gnostic.I feel it should have been included in the New testment.I feel it is very much like what Jesus would have wanted us to know.
Blessing to all

Dr. Pagels addresses an audience, discussing her view of the Gospel of Thomas, one of the earliest non-canonical gospels. Thomas is not a story of Jesus, rather it is a collection of sayings atttributed to him. Several are familiar and/or similar to sayings in the canonical gospels, while others are not. Many are a bit puzzling, for even Dr. Pagels. However, they are truly powerful upon reading them, and accompanying the CD is a compilation of Thomas, which really needs to be read prior to listening to the CD. Mark the ones that are puzzling to you and you will find them probably addressed on the CD! She also makes some interesting contrasts between the Gospel of John and Thomas, indicating perhaps an early rivalry in spiritual points of view. There is a concern I have regarding the quality of a portion of the second CD. It is very hard to hear the questions from the audience, and it sounds extremely "tinny" when someone in the audience is speaking. It is rather distracting and not of the quality that other Sounds True recordings are. The previous reviewer must not have listened to all the second CD, so just be aware of this should you purchase. You will love Dr. Pagels' voice and the way she interacts with her audience. Enjoy!

Jesus said, "I am the light that is over all things. I am all: From me all has come forth, and to me all has reached. Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there." (as recorded on page 14)

Dr. Elaine Pagels presents an intriguing introduction for the Gospel of Thomas. She is the best-selling author of The Gnostic Gospels. Do these new teachings shed new light on the words of Christ from the Bible? An English translation is included in an 18-page supplement along with two CDs.

In the first CD, Elaine Pagels introduces us to:

The History of Early Christianity
The Gospel of Thomas
The Secret Words of Jesus
The Good News: Knowing Who You Are
Jesus as the Only Son of God
Who Was Thomas?
Question and Answer Session
Elaine Pagel's Personal and Spiritual Journey

On the second CD, she presents ideas about the possible Eastern influences of the Gospel of Thomas, the different levels of Jesus' teachings and how we date the Scriptures. Audience participation becomes intriguing when they answer some of the questions.

This CD set sheds an especially interesting light on the topic of Jesus as the original light. Is the light in Genesis an ordinary light? This is explained as the divine light or source of divine energy.

The irony of listening to this CD set is that you may come away with less doubts and more enlightenment. Dr. Elaine Pagels presents a topic that not only expands our knowledge about Jesus Christ, it also creates a greater curiosity and understanding about the Kingdom of Heaven. I now understand the Kingdom of Heaven as an invisible dimension, where we experience an enlightened state of kindness and peace when we follow the commandments of Christ.

~The Rebecca Review

The audio-book edition of The Gospel Of Thomas: New Perspectives On Jesus' Message as written and read by Elaine Pagels (Professor of Religion, Princeton University, New Jersey) offers an informed and informative perspective with respect to the attributes and teachings of Jesus Christ as presented through the interpretive ideals of Apostle Thomas as revealed in his apocryphal gospel. Deftly covering a vast array of theological inquiries and historical scholarship relevant to the its original rejection from the approved canon of scriptures that were to become the New Testament, The Gospel Of Thomas offers readers an insightful grasp of Thomas' writings including his concept of "the light within us all", the influence of Eastern thought in the teachings of Jesus, who Mary Magdalene was in the Gospel attributed to the apostle Thomas, the gnostic scriptures interpretation, and perspectives into some of the most puzzling Christian koans from both the canonical and gnostic texts. This flawlessly recorded 2 CD audiobook edition of The Gospel Of Thomas includes an 18-page study guide, has a running time of 1 2/4 hours, and is very strongly recommended for anyone with an interest in gnostic literature in general, and the Gospel of Thomas in particular.

Sabrina Black gives us a God-inspired look into how leaders of all kinds can better lead without going crazy. Leaders almost always have moments of feeling overwhelmed, this book is a great guide to help you deal with those feelings and continue to give direction, help, motivation and encouragement to others.

This book applies to all people.
Inspiring insights for everyone....

Without a doubt, I found this to be a great read. The sound and practical advice and charts were a godsend. I know too many leaders who are on the verge of burn-out and this book is their saving grace. These ladies followed the Spirit when they wrote this one. Great book.

Review by William Phenn for Reader Views (6/06)

Sabrina D. Black, Christina Dixon, Pamela J. Hudson and Brenda A. Jenkins - "who are these women?" you ask. They are the leaders of the 21st. Century, multi-tasking women of this new era.

Sabrina Black is the Clinical Director of Abundant Life Counseling Center. Ms. Black has an MA, LLPC and a host of other credentials that fortify her work in the field of mental health. Ms.Black is not only an author but a national and international speaker as well. She has been an overseas Missionary and has brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to many in the West Indies, Romania and Africa. In this book, she shows the reader how to deal with life's struggles and the real issues of Christian living.

Christina Dixon is a wife and mother of five adult children and a grandmother of one. If that isn't enough, she is also the President of Priority One Publications. Ms.Dixon has organized food and reading programs, Bible teaching workshops and is a sought after speaker in her own right. Ms. Dixon currently serves as Women's Ministry Coordinator for New Hope Progressive Church.

Pamela J. Hudson is President and CEO of Advanced Consulting & Marketing Services.
Ms. Hudson is also a teacher and speaker who teaches Biblical Counseling classes. She is Secretary of the Board of Global Projects for Hope and Help and Healing. In addition to her many talents she is also a gifted writer that has been published in many publications.

Brenda A. Jenkins a Certified Biblical Counselor, author and speaker. Ms. Jenkins served as Director of Biblical Counseling for many years at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. She is currently the Counseling Advisor and Adjunct Outreach Facilitator for this ministry.

"Help! Your Leadership" is a 170 page book of answers. Answers to questions asked of Christian leaders and questions they ask themselves. This book deals with the struggles that Christian leaders face on a daily basis. It is an insight to what a Christian leader must do for his/her flock. Much of the book deals with actual life experiences and how they were handled. From,"who is a leader" to the power a leader has within his grasp, this compelling volume covers all the aspects of leadership.

Some of the many valuable lessons learned are how a leader should be mentally whole himself, before attempting to help others. How he should manage his Christian life before he sets out to be a beneficial leader. He must also combat depression when he is powerless to help in a situation. Jealousy of others within the ministry, the Lone Ranger mentality, and many more are just a few of the chapters from this well written book.

" Help! Your Leadership" is a very informative, well written book that I highly recommend to anyone in the position of power. Not just for Christian leaders, but all leaders could benefit from the lessons learned in this book. I give it my highest A+ rating.

"High-Impact Sales Force Automation: A Strategic Perspective
By Glen S. Petersen"
This media helped me make thousands of dollars from a greater margin. If you are losing money or sales, and do not know how to make a comeback, this media is guaranteed to spur your imagination.

This media contains vital information that should belong to any existing retail/service business. The info is also great for entrepreneurs who will find tools saving them time and money.

Glen Petersen did a great job.This book covers all the aspects of SFA in a technical but readable way. Must be a required reading for consultants and users alike. I will put it in my top three list about the subject.

Read this one first. This is a must read for all consultants, project managers, and executives stepping into the world of sales force automation.

While I've yet to find the definitive book on selecting and implementing a sales automation solution in a corporate environment, "High Impact Sales Force Automation" does provide an important piece to the puzzle. The book helps put sales automation into perspective and provides a solid background for those individuals charged with finding an automated solution for their organization. After reading this book, I was able to hold intelligent conversations with many of major providers of enterprise-wide solutions.

This book is written in a very entertaining fashion that makes the reader want more. It shows the experience of both authors in marketing as well as the academic environment. However, it ends falling in the same pitfalls of traditional marketing track record: talking about Latino/Hispanic cultural values as a whole, unified experience. For instance, assertions such as "Latinos rate very high on the collectivism end of the continuum" still hurt the understanding of a complex, diversified market. According to Hofstede's (1980) scores of cultural behavior in the workplace, countries in Latin America rank at different levels, from scores as high as 46 for Argentina to a low six for Guatemala (being high ranks more individualistic). No, we don't all eat rice and beans...

Many of the information out there on Hispanic marketing is repetitive and basic. This book digs deep into the cultural issues that frame the topics that concern marketers. It provides insight for the non_hispanic that will leverage their marketing skills with knowledge of a culture that otherwise seems like a big puzzle with too many parts.

Hispanic Marketing: A Cultural Perspective is a book that should be required reading for anyone trying to reach the lucrative Hispanic market. Before reading this book and "Marketing to Hispanics: A Strategic Approach to Assessing and Planning Your Initiative," I had with limited success targeted the Hispanic market for my company. I had even gone as far as learning Spanish to help me. But nothing has helped me understand and reach the Hispanic market more than these two books. Each book is packed with resources, tools, and information that will help any business executive or business owner reach the Latino market.

This is truly a pioneer work in the field of Hispanic Marketing. The author really disects the theory and uses case studies to illustrate his points. Highly recommended in a field that is still in an infant stage and relies heavily on empiric information. His analysis goes beyond the 'business' aspect of Hispanic Marketing giving it a cultural perspective.

A very surprising book! Doyle embraces spiritualism and digs into the subject.I made one mistake not reading this book earlier.

I have looked for this book for many yrs, as yet I havent read it, but very happy to have it. Shall read as soon as I have finished my other Spiritual books... many thanks Amazon.... Meg

No one goes wrong in tapping into the great research of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his review of New Spiritualism. He takes us through the pioneers of that movement that began here in the United States in 1848 with the Fox Sisters. Doyle was purposeful and intent on his work; a scholarly effort that is used today by the Morris Pratt Institute as required reading for its courses on Spiritualism.

Besides being the Father of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was the St. Paul of Spiritualism. Having become disenchanted with the Roman Catholic faith at an early age, Doyle searched for years, before becoming a convinced Spiritualist. The evidence that convinced him was communication with his son, Kingsley, who died at the end of the great war. This information came through in seances. Doyle often remarked,"If only they could know". Doyle not only believed, he knew! This book is extremely well written, as one would expect from a writer of Doyle's distinction. The early beginnings with Swedenborg are covered, as well as important phenomena and mediums of the time. To me, as a Spiritualist minister, the greatest chapters are on the religious aspects of Spiritualism, which Doyle explains in great depth. This is a scholarly book, which I require my students to read. But it is more than worth the time, when one considers what one learns from this authority. Doyle traveled extensively in the cause of the faith and established several churches in Australia. I wish all readers the same exciting learning experience that I had when I first read this book!

Jewish Integrity, Continuity

Reviewed by Rabbi Dennis S. Ross
Special to the Jewish News

Inside Intermarriage: A Christian Partner's Perspective on Raising a Jewish Family, by Jim Keen, URJ Press, New York, 2006. 146 pp., $15.95

When an interfaith relationship gets serious, a call to clergy may follow. "I'm Jewish. She's not. We're in love. And we're not sure what to do."

I hear it often. As a rabbi, I recognize the delicacy of the situation: It's a balance of Jewish communal integrity, Jewish continuity, romantic ties and family bonds. My counsel can be a multi relationship-breaker.

Of course, some couples figure things out on their own - conversation with clergy not required. Others need professional assistance to reach an accommodation. For many, Detroit Jewish News columnist, Jim Keen's Inside Intermarriage: A Christian Partner's Perspective on Raising a Jewish Family will be a valuable resource as it is for anyone concerned about Jewish peoplehood, intermarriage and outreach.

Writes Keen, an Ann Arbor resident: "It's purely frightening to be in love with someone so much, yet also to have this nagging feeling that your union will implode because of your religious differences. Don't lose hope, though. It is possible for the situation to be successfully resolved." Keen well recognizes the potential complexity of an interfaith marriage, especially one like his - Jim, a Protestant, and Bonnie, a Jew, each kept their birth faith.

Inside Intermarriage is a gently told story of one couple's journey, uniquely written from the perspective of a Christian father living in a Jewish home: "I am a Christian dad helping to raise a Jewish family." And he adds, "Interfaith homes come in all shapes and sizes. No two are alike." Each couple builds the household that is right for them, clumsy as the process may be.

Keen reveals how he and his wife-to-be decided that neither would convert, that children would be raised in one faith only, that the faith would be Judaism, that he would retain his Protestant belief and practice, that all family members - children-to-be included - would participate in the religious lives of the others, all the while honoring their own faith commitments.

And just what do the girls think when they go to a Protestant service with their father? "This is Daddy's Church; they go to a synagogue." And he sweetly describes his encounters with Jewish holidays, Shabbat, the lifecycle, Jewish culture and Jewish attitudes toward intermarriage, all intertwined as an inviting, easily read introduction to Judaism.

When religion looms as an insurmountable obstacle, Keen shows how one couple worked it through with the support of loving family and attentive clergy. This couple finds childcare, friendship and volunteer opportunities at the Jewish Community Center and religious education and spiritual life at the synagogue. We quickly realize that their achievement is thanks, in large part, to their willingness to turn to outside personal and institutional resources, people and organizations that are really there for them.

Each brief chapter is punctuated by a "Postscript," practical advice offered by a Jewish professional. One Postscript offers pointers on maintaining warm relationships with parents: caution the family of origin not to jump to conclusions about the couple's religious future, offer reassurance about continuing commitments to all relatives, emphasize commonality rather than differences, talk in person rather than over the phone or by e-mail, and sooner is better than later.

Folks, like me, who marry and live comfortably in the birth religion, sometimes fail to recognize the bravery it takes to walk into an unfamiliar house of worship, all the while wondering, "Yes, I am in love with a person. But is this place for me?" In Keen's words, "It's purely frightening." Our visitors summon courage; what is our response? How will we reciprocate, all the while recognizing that the future of our people is at stake? Jim Keen's story in Inside Intermarriage shows how we can welcome the stranger and, at the same time, serve Jewish integrity and Jewish continuity.

Rabbi Dennis S. Ross, serving at Temple Emanuel in Worcester, Mass., is author of God in Our Relationships: Spirituality between People from the Teachings of Martin Buber released by Jewish Lights Publishing. His Web site is www.DennisRoss.net.

Easy read. Talks about issues when a Jewish and Christian partner decide to get married. Raises many valid questions and offers one way that this dilemma was resolved. Best read by couples are are serious with each other and are just starting out their journey together.
There are many ways to approach this problem, and this offers one families ways.

The book didn't appeal to me, because I am already 18 years into the marriage with almost grown children.

Written by Jim Keen, a Christian father committed to helping his Jewish wife raise Jewish children, Inside Intermarriage: A Christian Partner's Perspective on Raising a Jewish Family is a one-of-a-kind testimony about the unique dynamics of interfaith love, matrimony, and child-rearing. "A friend of mine recently asked me how I decided to give this 'gift' [the decision to raise the children Jewish] to my wife. She wanted to know what were the factors that made this the right choice. I had a hard time answering that one. I finally said that, technically speaking, there wasn't one thing per se that did it. Nothing forced us to decide one way or the other. The only criterion that we had was that we both had to be happy with the resolution. There is no right or wrong answer." Chapters address the author's experience as an outsider to his wife's culture, well-treated but still a "non-Jew", learning to make family connections at the Jewish Community Center, difficult choices during family celebrations of the holidays, particularly in the ubiquitously marketed Christmas season, and much more. "Fortunately, Bonnie's stepmother offered us a refreshing bit of wisdom. She said, 'One day out of the year isn't going to make or break their Jewish identity. It's how you raise your kids as Jews the other 364 days that counts." A fascinating testimony in its own right, and enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone contemplating interfaith marriage or especially interfaith parenting.

Inside Intermarriage is a welcome addition to books on intermarriage between Christian and Jews. The author, Jim Keen, the non-Jewish partner in an interfaith marriage, decided together with his Jewish wife to raise their children as Jews while he maintained his Protestant Christian beliefs and practices. This is the first book written from the Christian partner's perspective.

Since interfaith marriages are complicated, the author does not encourage them but, it is a reality that should be addressed, which he does in a clear, frank, upbeat, easy-to-read way.

The book deals with their experiences starting with dating, engagement, marriage, and parenting their daughters through the early elementary school years. While the couple tried to discuss as much as possible with each other, there were surprises, which Keen discusses. He also talks about open discussions with both of their parents. The Keens clearly have a Jewish home, but the children also respect their father and his parents and their beliefs. Keen too has felt stronger in his own faith and he helps raise his daughters Jewishly.

I have a child in a similar marriage. I found the book very supportive. It is good for those contemplating such a marriage and couples in the earlier years of an interfaith marriage as well as the parents of the couple.

The phrase "biblically sound" pretty much covers it. This should be mandatory reading for EVERY born again Christian. Thank you Mr Gilley!!!

There is a popular teaching these days that instructs people to seek within to hear the 'voice of God', they listen to their feelings, promptings, and hunches to guide them in making life's decisions, and listen to an 'inaudible', 'inner voice', to know the 'Will of God' for their lives.

This book will challenge the Christian reader's professed confidence in the Word of God, because once someone has omitted Scripture as the Final Authority, the person has no way left for truly testing or knowing if something is of God or not. This can become a serious situation for a Christian, that very often makes them vulnerable to false teachings, confusion, heartache.

When Jesus was tempted by the devil in Matt 4:4, He said; "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God". In this 4th chapter, 3 times Jesus says "It is written". Scripture is the final authority.

Gary Gilley has written an excellent book in a Q & A format that deals with the vital matter of hearing God's voice, godly decision making, callings, and what God's Will is for the Christian, and gives us a sound biblical way of obeying God's Will and practicing biblical guidance in our lives. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 says; "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." The Scriptures are sufficient - and are a sure foundation. Recommended reading.

The main thrust of this book can best be summed up by Pastor Gilley himself: "That God is at work behind the scenes, leading and directing our lives, is not the question, in this all conservative Christians agree. The question is whether the Bible teaches that God has specific will(s) for each of us - specific choices he wants us to make on all sorts of things - and whether these will(s) must be discerned through various extra-biblical means. I believe, contrary to the majority of Christians, that the answer to these questions is a clear `no'." (p. 37)

As Gilley notes, more and more Christians, regardless of denomination, etc are coming to believe that "the will of God can be ascertained through divinely prompted feelings, hunches, impressions or dreams. If these fail we can turn to fleeces, fastings, flipping coins or opening the Bible randomly and following the first verse that makes sense." (pp. 35-36) Is this how God says we are to discern His will? Are these biblical methods?

Gilley does an excellent job in addressing this question, especially in a book of only 92 pages. He begins with a short chapter the early Pietists (Arndt, Spener, Francke, and Zinzendorf), what they believed, and how their teachings paved the way for subjectivity and theological liberalism. Gilley maintains that although their goal was proper exegesis and a higher regard for the Bible, they slowly allowed subjectivity and experience to become more authoritative.

The author notes that a recent study shows that "one in three American adults say that God speaks to him directly." Gilley also sites the author Henry Blackaby, a proponent of extra-biblical revelation. Gilley notes that the Bible does not portray people hearing from God inside their heads and then have to go through the discernment of whether or not it was really God or even partially God. When people in the Bible heard from God it was loud, audible and there was no doubt about it. (With the single exception of young Samuel who didn't realize it was the Lord - nevertheless, the priest heard it, so it was not within Samuel's head.) "The evangelistic method of Jesus and the apostles was not to urge people to seek direct experiences with God; instead they went about preaching and teaching the Scriptures."(p. 27)

Gilley looks at how the term "the will of God" is used in three distinct ways. 1. The "sovereign will of God in which it is recognized that our Lord is in control of all things in the universe. Ephesians 1:11..." 2. The "revealed will of God which makes known to us how God expects us to live." For example 1 Thess 4:1-4, or His command to love Him and our neighbor. The Bible clearly teaches both of these. It's the third, the "specific or individual" will of God, by which some believe that God has an "ideal, detailed life-plan uniquely designed for each believer," (p.36) that we must discover, that Gilley is most concerned with in this book.

Throughout the rest of the book, Gilley puts forth an excellent argument through the study of scripture, why we have freedom to choose courses of action as long as they are made biblically. One great example is in 1 Corinthians 7 where the apostle Paul is "dealing with one of the most important decisions in life - marriage. What a perfect opportunity to lay out the steps for discernment of the specific will of God. Instead the Holy Spirit-inspired apostle, after some advice pertinent to the current situation, leaves the decision as to whether one should marry to the individual believer (v.8-9, 20-21)." (p.40-41) Examples from Paul's own decision making are also noted.

Pastor Gilley discusses some often quoted verses on this subject - Kings 19, Romans 8:14 & 16, Psalm 37:4, Phil 4:4-7 coupled with Col 3:15, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 16:12-14, among them. Chapter Six is a thoughtful list of common questions and answers. Chapter Seven surveys the instances in which God speaks to someone in the Bible, and Chapter Eight gives us further insight into God's revealed will and practical steps for biblical decision making.

In the end, Gilley tells us that we have the freedom to choose between biblically acceptable alternatives. Decision making should always begin with Scripture. We need to pray for wisdom (James 1:5-8), and seek wise counsel (Proverbs 12:15, 13:10, 15:22, 20:18). (pp.56-57) Let's not be taken captive through worldly philosophy and empty deception (Col 2:8-15). Pastor Gilley reminds us that 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that "He [God] has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him..." Life and godliness can only be obtained "through the true knowledge of Christ, which is found only in the Word. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)...Why search beyond the Scriptures for the things that God says the Scriptures alone supply?"(pp. 90-91).

A friend of mine thinks that Gary Gilley has gone too far in the opposite direction of mysticism, minimizing God's participation in our lives. I don't believe Gilley meant to handcuff God. He states in the introduction that he is not a deist. He believes God is alive and active in this world. He just doesn't think we should try to discern His will through hunches, feeling etc. For example, God may open a door (opportunity) for you to serve Him. God can do anything. On the other hand, just because a door opens up to do something, doesn't necessarily mean it is from God. Some open doors lead to elevator shafts! (My example, not Gilley's.) Buy the book. It's only 92 pages and it will give you a great framework with which you can think and discuss this important subject, whether you agree with the author or not.

Gilley presents a wonderful case against the pietistic Christian mysticism that so characterizes conservative/fundamental evangelicalism. We "lay out the fleece", pray for peace, seek God's direction, look for "open doors", and wrestle over the daily will of God. Yet Gilley points out how this actually diminishes the power and authority of God's revealed and written Word which is sufficient for all of life and godliness.

The book is brief and easy to read. As such, he does not spend pages going into deep details, so one must have some prior experience to appreciate this book fully. He presupposes salvation on the part of the reader and at least a cursory knowledge of Christianity, its verbiage, and practices.

While he deals devastating blows to the Charismatic/pentecostal view of revelation, his primary purpose is to expose the very same spirit in conservative circles. Read and heed this important book.

The Jungians sets out to describe the social and political history of the Jungian communities throughout the world and accomplishes its aims admirably. It will be the gold standard for historical inquiry into the Jungian movement for decades to come with an informative discussion of the development of every institute and of the contributions of each significant figure in nalytic psychology.

From the beginning of the 20th century Jung championed a secular psychology that also viewed the human as essentially sacred and irreducible and by so doing set himself apart from and against the strictly positivistic science that the western world espoused at and since that time. Jung's ideas, far from succumbing to collective bias and oblivion, have disseminated themselves substantively throughout the entire world for the last 100 years in the form of the many psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and professional and lay groups who presently identify themselves with Jung's ideas. Kirsch's book is a history of exactly how and through whom that dissemination has occurred and in whom and in what organizations it resides. Although Kirsch says his is a social and political history and not an intellectual one, that is not entirely correct, for, as he tracks people over time and about the world, he differentiates what aspect of Jung's spirit each tends most to embody (and defend): the philosophical, the clinical, the religious, the archetypal, the developmental. And in this weaving arise the confrontations, conflicts, and confluences that finally shape the ongoing state and living drama of Jungian psychology. No one other than Kirsch could have written this book. His life, like none other, has been part and parcel of the events and people he describes (see the Preface). Far from having become a passive cipher in the play, he has had a hand in its evolution and yet, in his story, he steps outside of the fray to portray its horizons. For a professional within the field itself, like myself, this gives rise to a dual gift: first, an invaluable aid in locating oneself and one's own ideas within the collective of the movement, and second, the spurring of intimations of what lies beyond the knowns of the present Jungian world. Concerning the book itself, Kirsch is a master of the matter of fact. In sweeping but trenchantly accurate statements (the accuracy is the gift) he avers simply what is and what isn't. In a brief paragraph he explains how the introduction of Jung's continental philosophying into England has given rise to a British traditionally empiricist reaction (and then spells out that reaction in the splits and vicissitudes of the English groups). In addressing Jung's monumentally injudicious gaffes of the mid 1930s, he says, "As we analysts know, timing is critical in analysis, and the same holds true for politics" His summing ups share the same precise and parsimonious qualities: "In my experience, almost all Jungians, in addition to amplifying and interpreting dreams, recognize the primarily symbolic nature of the unconscious, the importance of working with the transference/countertransference relationship, and the necessity for maintaining strict professional boundaries." In the reading, lesser known gems fall from the pages from time to time. I did not know that Jung had met Lacan. Kirsch says where and how. Nor did I know that he had spoken in England before 1925 (he gave a seminar in Cornwall in 1923; I do not think it is published as yet). The chapter on Germany alone is worth the price of the book. Kirsch has ferreted out and redacted material in strict temporal sequence that is more complete than any I have read before. This involves the history of Jungian psychology in Germany but, more importantly in my opinion, Jung's relationship to the Nazis. Kirsch is more even-handed and straightforward in his accounts than in any other I have read, including his father's extensive statements on the same subject. And Kirsch (the son) arrives at what feels to be extremely fair judgments, plainly delivered and patently devoid of polemical covering up. A second chapter of particular worth is the last one, "Observations and Conclusions." Again, it is the precision and the matter of factness that make it valuable for seeing in one place and through plain language the present edges of things Jungian. In the foreword, historian Peter Homans says that Kirsch is "generous" in this history. In my opinion, it is true beyond a doubt. Generous in its plethora of material, its reader-friendly expression, and in its sharing of personal information. In its historical place, its importance for the Jungian world resembles in kind the book Bollingen by William McGuire in which he, like Kirsch, fleshes out an intellectual movement related to the Jungian world in the specific details of the persons and places and modus operandi served by the foundation set up (now defunct) by Mary Mellon. Both books make people whose names and writings are synonymous with Jungiana come to full sentient life. Besides Kirsch and McGuire, we have only histories of Jung and his ideas. I highly recommend Kirsch's book as a very interesting read, a source of new information, and a singular documentation of Jungian ideas and their embodiment in the world. For the lay person, even one not familiar with the Jungian world, the book is a history of how a little known psychology - one that is unique and friendlier than probably any other to the spiritual - becomes a part of the culture of nations and the world.

This is a must for every psychiatrist and psychologist who is interested in the history of psychiatry and psychology, and for every layman who is interested in these fields.

You will enjoy reading this book!

For the first time there is a telling of the tale of the Jungian movement from the

beginnings in Switzerland to every continent through places, persons, events and

publications. This book will leave you with a new and larger understanding of a

story that was previouly known mostly in fragments. Included are colorful nuances

and first hand accounts, even a few never before published photographs, from the

author who grew up in the midst of the Jungians and has been one of its most

prominent contributors.

Whether you read this book for the fun and enjoyment of it or for professional

research, you will find a wealth of facts, insights and useful references to places

and persons you probably know and books you probably have read, and you may find

yourself referring back to specific sections, places and persons many times.

I recommend this book highly!

Ron has a very laid back writing style. You can tell that he has spent a considerable amount of time in the trenches and appreciates the amount of hard work and focus it takes for a successfull product development project. I would definately recomend this book for anyone serious about wanting to add tools to their product development toolbox.

This is the author's second book on product development. The first one was focused primarily on cost reduction with some material about time-to-market. In this book his focus is primarily on reducing development time through focusing on the new development team processes. Ron offers some very practical advice, and a host of easy to use tools and aids that new product development teams can adapt very easily and quickly. Ron's writing style is that of a practitioner and therefore makes reading the material easy, and is made relevant to a real world environment.

His approach of adapting some traditional lean tools to the product development situation is novel. I found his version of Value Stream Mapping for example, for a basically creative process, very useful.

While this book stands on its own, if you have not read Ron's first book "The Lean Design Guidebook," doing so would give you holistic perspective on both the time and cost factors involved in the new product design process.

Project management professional Ronald Mascitelli presents The Lean Product Development Guidebook: Everything Your Design Team Needs to Improve Efficiency and Slash Time-to-Market, a handbook written especially for design team managers in all business fields. The focus lies upon making the product development process "lean", thereby improving both its efficiency and its effectiveness. Chapters describe how to establish product design requirements, heighten the pace of project execution, and apply self-assessment tools to keep design paradigms operating at optimal levels. The Lean Product Development Guidebook is spiral-bound, able to lay flat or be folded over on itself for easy reference, and is written in plain terms, with numerous black-and-white charts and diagrams illustrating its principles. Enthusiastically recommended as an overview resource and guideline for design team managers everywhere.

I just finished reading "The Lean Product Development Guidebook" and I am totally impressed with the practical tools and common sense tone of this book. The author makes the learning experience pleasant and even entertaining! Most of the two dozen "lean methods" described in the book can be used right away and will provide immediate benfits. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about driving waste out of the product design process.

I am former student of Dr. Cerny and proof that if you take bits and pieces of this book and tailor it to your own personality you will be successful. In 1990, I began my job search (out of school section of the book) with the help and quidance of Dr. Cerny after 3 long and difficult months I obtained my goal and the position I wanted. I was able to obtain numerous interviews, but I remained patient and focused on MY GOAL. Ten years later I am working hard, setting goals, and achieving financial and personal goals that I never thought possible (on the road section of the book). Now my goals have changed but I still remain focused as I look towards the 'Picnic' (at the picnic section). Bottom line, if your serious, committed, and focused on success you must read and adapt to the suggestions of this book. All the best.

I recognized the positive power of books written by Dr. Cerny while I was at a golf course in Myrtle Beach, SC. I was walking down the hall and noticed that a lady was reading one of his books (Notes from the Coach). I stopped and asked her what she thought of the book and she said, "I saw Dr. Cerny at a seminar and thought it would be just another boring seminar. However, the seminar was great, and I recently emailed Dr. Cerny to tell him how much I enjoyed his book." I agree and would highly recommend Dr. Cerny's new book, Learn to Market Yourself, to anyone that would like to set goals and achieve those goals.

In Learn to Market Yourself, Dr. Cerny gives a practical step-by-step approach to becoming not only a better and more goal-oriented person, but also a better and more disciplined Christian. Most importantly, Learn to Market Yourself taught me that God is a very goal-oriented God, and Christians should expect no less of ourselves. In short, Learn to Market Yourself is money well spent if you want to get ahead in life, achieve your goals, and become a better Christian.

I loved this book. I was/am a student of Ed's. We used this book in our marketing classes at the University of South Carolina. One thing he couldn't have then was the Christian perspective. That alone makes this book worth reading. If you are looking for direction in your life. Read this book.

Coach Ed is not only my father, but my friend and mentor and I have found the key ingredients to really living and reaching my goals in this short and easy to read book.

This book is a guide that will enlighten your spirit and renew your mind. It offers practical advice in a personalized way for all aspects of your life. Through this book, you will be able to successfully tackle tough to manage issues such as relationships; employment and managing a budget from a Christian stand point. Dr. Cerny's suggestions are backed by examples that are easy to relate to, powerful Bible verses and motivational quotes that empower you to transform your life.

After every chapter you will be challenged to set reasonable goals and make realistic changes in your habits. These interactive exercises will not only provide you with the will to transform your life, but they serve as a navigation key to get you heading down the path to achievement and the road to success.