Organizations Books

In this highly enlightening book, Michael Kellogg argues that in becoming National Socialist Germany did not follow a special path predetermined by German culture. Rather, the genesis of National Socialism must be understood within the context of German defeat of WWI and the Bolshevik Revolution. The co-occurence of these events brought Baltic German and Russian Nationists to Germany where they joined völkisch leaders and radicalized the masses. Formerly fringe anti-Semitism was joined to anti-Bolshivism and became virulent. The book sits on original research done in German and Russian archives.
Karla Poewe
Professor, University of Calgary

This is a superb book based on solid archival research in German and Russia that provides startling new insights into the ideological roots of National Socialism. It is a must read for anyone interested in understanding Nazism and the development of its ideology. Kellogg shows how the Russian Revolution affected the thinking of various Russian and Baltic intellectuals who fled to Germany where they spread their poisonous brand of anti-Semitism based on a unique mythology. I strongly recommend this book which should be read alongside Karla Poewe "New Religions and the Nazis", New York and London, Routledge, 2006. These books complement each other in a remarkable way and genuinely change our understanding of the origins and growth of Nazism.

Irving Hexham, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Calgary.

The various interconnections between Germany and Russia in contemporary history have become a recurring subject of research after the end of the Cold War. For instance, there has been a new wave of books and articles on the comparison between Nazism and Stalinism as well as on the Nazi-Soviet co-operation of 1939-1940. Another example would be the recent talk about `Weimar Russia' when interpreting post-Soviet developments.
With "The Russian Roots of Nazism", an extremely dense and well-researched text, Kellog provides an important new study on a still insufficiently explored aspect of the history of contemporary German-Russian relations. His book focuses on the years 1918-1923, and details at length the connections that a number of prominent émigrés from the former Tsarist empire had with the early Nazi elite, in general, and Adolf Hitler, in particular. The central theme of the study is the rise and fall of the short-lived, yet important émigré association Aufbau: "Wirtschaftspolitische Vereinigung für den Osten" (Reconstruction: Economic-Political Organisation for the East). With such an intriguing subject, Kellog will find many readers among historians and the interested public of both Russia and Germany as well as other countries.
Kellog's analysis suffers, however, from an overemphasis of the pro-Slavic tendencies in the German extreme right and an insufficient consideration of the deep roots of the Nazis' rabid anti-Slavism. More generally, Kellog could have considered in more detail rival influences on Nazism such as `scientific racism' or occultism in order to make a better case for his thesis about the `Russian roots' of Nazism. While he, at one point, puts his position on the nature of Nazism close to Ernst Nolte's (p. 199), he, in fact, succeeds in providing arguments against Nolte's assertion that fascism is essentially anti-Marxism. Kellog's many quotes show that the `bolshevik' part in the Nazis' talk about `Jewish Bolshevism' was secondary and that the Nazis instead thought that the bolsheviks were guided by `Jewish finance capitalism' (e.g. p. 226) - thus, oddly, making the Nazi interpretation of communism somewhat similar to the communist interpretation of Nazism.

When one considers for what short period the German Army occupied the Ukraine after the treaty of Brest Litovsk, it is interesting how many White Russian came out with the retreating German Armies.Their prejudices were a remarkable influence on the early Nazi Party in Munich, particularly the ideas engendered by the Protocols of Zion. Until this book Scheubner-Richter had been written off as a body, the only one shot dead, marching alongside Hitler and Ludendorff in the 1923 attemptef Putsch. However it transpires that he was as great an influence on Nazi doctrine as Rosenberg ( normally described as just a Baltic-German Russian , but actually also a White Officer )
Interesting also is the relationship with Wagner clan in Bayreuth , so that the book is complementary to Joachim Kohler's Wagner's Hitler; and that both groups visited Henry Ford in Detroit to seek funds , arising from his anti-semitic attitudes.
Kellogg does not explore the implications that the General Staff in Berlin was seeking a rapprochment with bolshevik Russia at this time .Nor does he assess Ludendorff as a politician.Above all , he does not refect on the confrontation between class-ridden White Russian Officers and the Bohemian Corporal who spent the war in the trenches on the Western Front.
Anyone coming to study this period and phase of the Nazi Party/ Adolf Hitler will have to take note of this book and its importance.
I hope that Michael Kellogg will go on to produce works that follow on this pivotal start.

I had never thought to find the link between German right wing movements and white emigres within Germany and Europe and what impact they had on the future Nazi Party and Hitler. This book was an unexpected find and a pleasant one at that. Not too difficult to read, somewhat repetitive but at the same time this makes it easier to keep track of all the 'characters' that the reader is introduced to. This book gives an excellent analysis on how the white emigres affected Hitler and his party and how without them Hitler might not have turned east or if he did might have done some things quite differently. What surprised me most was that before 1919 Hitler did not really say or write anything anti-semitic, in fact at times he defended Jews and even spoke like a socialist from time to time, which to a degree is less surprising since the Nazi party was a socialist party. I was also interested to learn of the assassination attempts undertaken by these white emigres against both Soviet politicians and German ones as well. Bottom line is that there is a lot of information here put into a context I never thought existed before, the book is expensive but in my opinion worth the money for the input it provides and the new view I now have of how Hitler came about with some of his ideas regarding Jews, Bolsheviks, and the Soviet Union.

My company picked up some valuable tips and techniques we had not ever focused on before reading the book and put them into practice. I bought one for all of our employees and suppliers!

I havent read his book yet, but I cant wait im getting it as soon as i can! He was a guest speaker for Shelly Elliots entrepeneur class at UNO (University of New Orleans) and Lee Pryor was freakin hilarious. Not only is he an easy going, laid back, down to earth dude, he is brilliant. I was amazed at how much of a regular guy he was despite his excellent track record of being the 1st man every company calls to gently tell the current CEO "YOU SUCK GET OUT THE WAY AND LET ME SHOW YOU HOW ITS DONE!" Before you start your own business, read his book, meet him in person, whatever just definitely heed his wisdom. The advice he told my class and many anecdotes im sure are in his book and are never-the-less, priceless. Im still holding on to the class notes and have put them in a separate binder for when im ready to use them.

A big thank you to Lee Pryor for sharing his wisdom with anyone wanting to start their own business. His sage advice comes from experience, and lessons that he learned, he lends a penetrating eye to tough situations, and I for one, am glad he decided to fill us in on his secrets!

These are the insights CEOs discuss when they talk shop.

Lee Pryor's book is full of those hands-on insights that come from decades of running businesses. Pryor's wisdoms were earned from long hard experiences that are shared and verbalized only with Pryor's small circle of CEO peers. Thankfully, Lee Pryor has a literary bend. He captured his CEO lessons-learned, and provided me three decades of experience in one readable book.

P.S. I find myself verbally quoting from his book (without attribution) in my conversations with my business colleagues.

Lee Pryor's book is a godsend to anyone starting up a business--or even those who already have. His recommendations on pretty much everything are right on the money. I wish I'd had this to read before I started my business.

FIVE BIG IDEAS: 1. The purpose of schools can be viewed by different models. The tribal model suggests that the purpose of school to teach moral and civil literacy. The factory model suggests that the purpose of school is to separate out and track the educated elite, the semi-skilled and low skilled workers. The hospital model suggests that school is the great equalizer that can diagnose, teach, test and cure the ills of society. Schechty suggests that we need to use the best aspects of these cultural, economic, and nurturing models.

2. Students need to be thought of as knowledge-workers where groupwork, self-discipline, loyalty, respect for others, respect of self, sensitivity to social and ethnic issues are stressed. Students need to go beyond the 3R1s. They need to learn how to think, create and solve meaningful real world problems.

3. Education needs to develop a vision that supports that idea that the purpose of school should be student success at doing knowledge-work. Every student can learn if they are provided with the correct work and mode of interaction. Motivated students will achieve by risking failure. The learning results must be valued by the community.

4. In implementing change, resources such as people, knowledge, time and space need to be developed. Questions such as, who is affected by the change, how do you market that, what are the values of the affected constituents, and who1s support is needed, need to be answered. Defining existing conditions, desired conditions, constraints and next steps are all part of a change system that need to be developed and marketed. 5. Methods of setting expectations, providing feedback and setting courses of corrective feedback need to be established. People know what is expected by what is inspected and respected. A system of rewards and consequences need to be put into place at all educational levels. If a person does well his or her only reward cannot be that that he or she does not get punished.

THREE IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE

1. Models of participatory leadership need to be implemented. Employees must be involved and valued as important contributors. Vision tied to purpose must be results oriented. Teachers need to be viewed as leaders and leaders need to be viewed as teachers. Leaders must teach others to make decisions not make the decisions themselves. The district office should support not direct the individual sites.

2. Existing policies, procedures, rules, and regulations need to be reviewed to identify constraints and develop new strategies. A human resource department would need to be established in order to provide the needed support and training to assure that the vision remains aligned with the purpose that every student will be successful at doing knowledge-work.

3. At all levels of the school system, goals and objectives need to be established to increase the rate and frequency of student success in the employees area of responsibility. Evaluation systems to be ongoing and tied to rewards and consequences. If goals are not achieved, then plans need to be put in place to help that employee or student increase their chance for success.

Five big ideas: 1. A need to redesign our schools: Our society has moved from a simple agrarian society, to an information-based society. Schools began in this country promoting Protestant morality. They later changed, and began promoting the American culture to the immigrant masses. Today, education must change again. Schlechty claims that the educational reform movement cannot further proceed without a clear purpose for schooling in the 21st century. The entire structure on which schools are based must change in order to fit the cultural, economic, and social aspects of the next century.

2. Manual work to knowledge work: In our information-based society, the means of production is based on knowledge and the ability to use it to create and solve problems. Working conditions of the 21st century will require that people be able to work well in groups, exercise self-discipline, and exhibit loyalty while maintaining critical faculties. The workplace needs people who know how to learn. Therefore, curriculum must be treated as material to be processed and worked on by students.

3. Clear purpose = student success: Within a knowledge-based school, the purpose of school is to create knowledge work at which the students will be successful, and that the students learn the skills that society values.

4. Participatory leadership for compelling vision: Ideas are formed by people. It is of little consequence whether the ideas go bottom-up or top-down. The important factor is that the leadership process involves individuals at all levels. People who lend their support wish to feel a part of the change. Everyone must be involved. Everyone must feel connected.

5. Changes can occur if...: a) the nature of the change is conceptualized b) the people who are called on for support who were not part of the conceptualization process must be made aware of it c) feedback is solicited from those not involved and it must be incorporated into the change process d) people are motivated to act in the direction of the! change e) a system of support and training are provided to those involved.

Implications for education: 1. Teachers are the leaders. Site-based management must increase. Participants must feel they are valuable contributors to the system. Teachers will teach each other to make decisions. They must become risk-takers and trouble-makers.

2. All stakeholders must become more conscious of education. Business' success and the success of society as a whole depends upon the people that emerge from the schools. We all have a stake in education.

3. A change of attitude: Schools need to redirect their thinking. What is our current purpose for schools?....student success. We must rethink the way we teach, the way we think about the learners, and the way we view ourselves. Our roles must change. A vision must be created in order to guide those changes.

"Can our schools prepare children for the next century?" This is what Phillip Schlechty asks of all educators, parents, and the community. His book exposes what schools need to do to keep current in the new and upcoming age. He advocates an educational renaissance for administrators, community, parents, teachers, and even the government. He states that leaders who are in current positions capable of producing change are usually the ones who are hesitant to generate said change. Therefore, leaders are needed who are actively participating in the visionary process of schools, rallying support to current educators, sharing innovative ideas, and actually initiating the process of change. These leaders need to be at all levels of the educational process. Schlechty also states that leaders need to be proactive in thinking and future planning. Ideas abound in his book for individuals and groups seeking to reform education.

Schools for the 21st Century or... the ABC's of SCHOOL RESTRUCTURING Phil Schlectly What is Restructuring-Schlectly says it this way, If you do what you1ve always done, you get what you always got. Schlectly says that altering the existing rules, roles and relationships must change from the classroom to the superintendent of schools. Change what you do. We could never have gotten to the moon if we spent time refining the combustion engine. We expect 95% of Kids to do what 5% used to do. How to restructure? 1. Develop a shared understanding of the problem 2. Create a shared vision 3. Focused school activity on students. ASK THIS QUESTION EVERYDAY Is there anything here we did today that will harm kids? ALSO ASK THIS QUESTION EVERYDAY Is there anything here we did today that helped kids? 4.Create a results oriented management system. What results do we want is the answer to all questions.Typical statement is we must reduce class size...What's better is results orientated. The results we are after is more personal attention from adults to children. 5.Ensuring a pattern of participatory leadership - It1s easier to make decisions by myself than to give decisions to staff. Why should we adopt this participatory model? Schlechty's analogy! SHEEP Must have dog barking and bitting- sheep move only in big flock, follow the one making most noise-very dumb-will find a green field and stay for life-Very unionized-week leadership-move from behind ! CHICKENS Can1t be herded- only way to get them to move is by being the one they are familiar with-the one who feeds them-Very independent-don1t move from behind-only way to move chickens? Be the one who feeds them, walks by and they follow! Schlechty also gives this analogy "CANARYs in the mine are like AT RISK students in the schools. They1re just die a little earlier. Our schools were built and structured around the game of monopoly, read rules, get the advantage- The problem is kids are playing nintendo-You learn rules by playing the game. You quickly share information -Networking answers to new level of problems will benefit the player. Schlechty defines the different models of schools out there. A School can be a Tribal Center, a Factory or a Hospitals. Schlechty defines knowledge work and that it is what should be the core curriculum of schools. Performance Evaluations =People know what is expected by what is inspected and what is respected. The key steps to moving forward on reform is defined through the superintendents role. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT CHAPTER!

Five Big Ideas and Three ways Schools for the 21st Century: Leadership Imperatives for Educational Reform will help create a vision of a future educational system:

Big Ideas:

1. The purpose of schools must be defined by educational leaders with support from the community. The purpose will reflect the values and commitment of the stakeholders, and shape the goals that schools will pursue.

2. To foster Educational Reform is to foster change. Change in our educational system can be embraced, if there is an understanding of the history of schools evolutionary process. School structure can be reshaped when purpose and vision of schooling are understood.

3. Unless there is a rationale for change, reform will not occur. There are some who believe that "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." Educators must constantly look to reformulate the purpose of schools and create new visions and goals.

4. New visions and goals will be created. Restructuring efforts will consider participatory leadership and followership, accountability and assessment of schools.

5. The creation of a new framework for schooling will address the needs of children and society. Components of the framework include staffing, the distribution of knowledge, and the utilization of time and space, physically and virtually.

Three Implications for the creation a vision of a future educational system:

1. Addressing the five big ideas will raise the collective consciousness of all the educational stakeholders for the need to reform. The process listed above will open our minds to a common vision that can be clearly stated and shared by all the stakeholders.

2. Technology is changing the global workplace. Therefore, technology will be a catalyst for rethinking how we do and redefine school. Becoming digital implies leaving behind an analog and linear approach to an anywhere, anytime, multidimensional approach to learning.

3. Education and schools in the twenty first century must be reinvented and supported by the glo! bal village and must be designed for the betterment of the students, at all age levels.

John M. Marion, Educational Technology Doctoral Student, Pepperdine University

The first line of the Foreword to Scientology: A History of Man reads: "This is a cold-blooded factual account of your last sixty trillion years." How in the world could anybody claim to give such a factual account?

I am not a scientologist, but I've read enough of Hubbard's work to know that he had an extraordinary approach to gaining knowledge--an approach that appears to be quite unique in man's modern history. I feel that the people who ridicule Hubbard for his rather amazing statements about mankind's history fail to appreciate Hubbard's unique approach.

Hubbard noticed early in his researches (before beginning his work on man's history) that man is vulnerable to a unique type of injury: Whenever he is forced into a state of pain or trauma, he has a mechanism (which Hubbard calls the "reactive mind") that takes over the task of protecting the organism from further injury. It's an old safety measure that is part of the makeup of most living things. But it has no capacity to reason and instinctively associates all sensations that it encounters during one of these periods of injury into a big "mass". When some similar set sensations is encountered later, the reactive mind is restimulated to re-experience aspects of the original injury. When the reactive mind is restimulated (Hubbard calls this the "keying in of the engram"), it literally takes over the operation of the body (you've seen people fly into a crazy rage -- that would be a dramatic example of the reactive mind taking over).

Much of Hubbard's work, especially in the beginning, was to free people up from these engrams, using a technology that he developed ("auditing") that allows the cognitive mind to become aware of these engrams (engrams have their power because we are totally unconscious of them). Every detail about each injury that has caused an engram is stored in complete detail in the reactive mind, and can be directly accessed with the proper technique.

Hubbard began to find that human beings have engrams whose origin pre-dates their birth. He also found that even when someone is free of all his engrams originating deep into ancient history, there are still certain types of limitations that man, as a fundamental pure spirit, has had imposed upon him.

It was in Hubbard's effort to free up man's spirit, working individually with many hundreds of men and women with a variety of technologies, that he was led to his discoveries about the ANCIENT history of man. This work is not the work of a historian or a novelist. It is the work of a humanitarian whose investigations into the human spirit led him to uncover unchartered territory. These are not speculations of a crazy man but a road map pieced together gradually over many years, resulting from endless probing into the consciousness of clients, always with the aim to free up imposed limitations on the spirit.

It is perfectly possible that some of the details of Hubbard's account of man's history are wrong. What makes his account compelling is that he derived it from thousands of hours of interviews in which this material was consciously recollected by clients. Is that any less reliable than our more familiar way of learning about man's history even as far back as 3000 years -- where we rely on bits and pieces of rumors and relics in order to piece together a story about our past?

Hubbard's investigations, particularly as seen in this book, are truly worth studying. The book is fascinating to read, and when you keep in mind where it all comes from, it is all the more fascinating. Our history as a race may well be far more intriguing than the best science fiction.

A fascinating book covering the findings from the early work of Mr. Hubbard into past lives and the history of the spiritual beings on this planet.

Hubbard pulls no punches about what he found. He doesn't try to be "acceptable" he merely states what he found.

What are the true capabilities of a spirit (i.e., you)?

What is the relationship between a being and a body?

How did we come to be in the less than perfect state we are now in?

These and many other questions are answered in this fascinating book

I read it three times in one week! A great book which not only reveals spiritual origins and truths but as an added bonus gives new insight into the phenomenon of alien visitation and the purpose of these visitors. L. Ron Hubbard was not afraid to write down his discoveries for all the world to read. The book also provides the reader with a better understanding of the "internal spiritual energy" that flows through the human body. This book is a must for anyone who seeks to understand the nature and capabilities of the human spirit.

I love this very special book! It helps me put many things in life and my life in perspective. I hope my experience as a Scientology practitioner who has advanced to a high spiritual state and helped many others do the same, can influence a few to read this concise volume. It's not a beginner's book but only for those few who wish to see beyond what is currently being fed to them. It's a book I'm only able to recommend infrequently at this time to the rare person who displays advanced openness regarding his/her spirituality.

If you ever wondered about past lives and reincarnation, but were not content with the events of the last few thousand years and want a look at a much longer time scale, then this is it. While current reincarnation theories usually only refer to spiritual growth (because the only ones that can tell their stories were those that grew), the content of his book tells what happened and shows that on this much larger scale that there had been more decay than growth. It points out types of events which caused that decay, and thus points back upwards to a true resolution towards spiritual growth for mankind.

When reading this book, I ran across a paragraph that specifically applied to me -- something had happened to me that was very similar to what was in the book. It was amazing. Only a few other times has something I read caused so much self betterment in so little time.

Plato's allegory of the cave is a story that everyone must read in order to claim to be educated. In it, people are permanently located in a cave with their back to the entrance. The shadows of what takes place outside the cave appears on the wall and the residents use that information to reach conclusions regarding what is outside. It is designed to show you that much of what you think you know is only a faint shadow of what the world really is.
This story begins in that vein; Unga, Bunga, Oogie, Boogie and Trevor are cave dwellers with a fear of the outside. They watch the shadows and reach conclusions and each has a different opinion regarding what terrible fate would befall them if they ever set foot outside their domain. They eat only what blows into the cave, so their diet consists largely of dried plant life and dead insects.
Eventually, Boogie expresses a desire to explore the exterior world, an opinion that immediately gets him ostracized. When he leaves, he discovers an amazing world of animals and vegetation. He wanders until he encounters a wise man named Mike, who tells him how it used to be.
In the old days, there was a major civilization that built towers to see what was beyond their immediate vicinity. In one direction, there were enormous herds of wild animals and in the other direction there were abundant fruits and vegetables there for the harvesting. There were two groups, each of which looked in only one direction. This led to an immediate split, one group wanted to build spears and other hunting tools while the other wanted to build baskets for gathering. Neither side would budge from their position, which led to a battle for control. This battle led to separate groups retreating into caves, where they remained to this day.
After the initial story of the cave dwellers, there is a serious discussion of the meaning of the tale. You are asked to ponder the significance of the story and how it relates to the modern business world. With the advent of global markets and the instantaneous transfer of information, for most companies a strategy of staying put is suicide. Each and every day, someone in the company must be examining all of the fundamental assumptions used to justify the business decisions.
This is a short book that is perfect for the half-day management seminar. Illustrated and only 81 pages long, it can be read in about an hour and is packed with information designed to get you thinking about your approach to life, work and career.

Fun and easy read but compelling! This is a book that I will want to keep on my bookshelf and revisit. A must read for managers, educators, and leaders.
Just as enjoyable and illuminating, Outlearning the Wolves, again, by David Hutchens.

Simple, yet powerful. A fun way to learn and very effective for group discussion.

I really enjoyed this book! The author's clever sense of humor and the great illustrations make a difficult subject--mental models--fun and easy to learn about. I think the book would help any company, family, or even couple get better at exploring why they think the way they do, and how to communicate better with colleagues and loved ones. The discussion guide at the end of the book makes it easy to start using the ideas in your day-to-day life.

David Hutchens brings new insight and twists to an age old metaphor. This book begins with a humorous tale whose analogy, to the world in which we live and the mental models which we hold, will hit you between the eyes. The writer quickly points out problems every organization battles with to improve performance and grow. While the business culture has become so overwhelmed with change, many leaders have embraced their current state of affairs. Holding tight to what we have, we spend much of our energy trying not to lose market share. This book gives insight into why and when this happens and how to move from there. "In a world of chaotic information, the mind instantly locks onto that which it already knows--and simply filters out other data." (from Shadows of the Neanderthal) I'm glad I bought it. Thom Hazelip, Arthur Andersen LLP

An excellent overview of the liturgical development of the early church. I would recommend this book to all people like myself that are non-liturgical. Dix brings out that the general outline of the service of the Eucharist "is everywhere most remarkably the same after 300 years of independent existance in the widely scattered church" in the Mediterranean region. If the non-liturical fundamentalist arguement that pagan intrusion was the origin of the Eucharist service were true, we would expect to see widely divergent local customs surrounding the eucharist service. The only explanation to explain the remarkable similarity is a common origin that must date to the very beginning of the Christian movement, before its missionary expansion. This would mean that the original design of the Eucharist liturgical service was done with Apostolic oversight.
This is blockbuster news to a non-liturgical cleric like myself. After reading this book, I now have more of a respect for the desire of my liturgic brother to keep the shape of the liturgy as it has been handed down to him or her. And I now will be more open to incorporating parts of the liturgy into our non-liturgical service. This is a must read for those that are contemplating throwing out the customs and practices of the liturgical service as being boring and repetitious. Instead the ministry of the liturgical church needs to teach what Dom Gregory Dix writes to the laity of the church, so they understand the various parts of the service, what they mean and their Apostolic origins. If someone had done that for me when I was an adolescent growing up in a liturgical church, I might have stayed in the church, instead of moving on to be a pastor in a non-liturgical denomination.

This is the end all for the liturgy. Detailed to a fault and well written. Dix did christianity a favor by producing this work for the people.

"Everything old is new again" seems to have impacted the Christian Church in the 21st Century. With the "rediscovery" of the richness and depth of the ancient forms of worship, the reprint of this classic on liturgy is very welcomed.

Dom Gregory Dix, an Anglican scholar, began a short presentation of the shape of liturgy that by his own admission became an expansive examination of how the Church has worshipped over the centuries. The research is outstanding and the general usefulness of the book is amazing considering the length to which the author has gone to verify his conclusions.

This outstanding work is a key for those theologians, pastors and priests seriously interested in the worship of the church through the ages. A serious layman can obtain much from the book as well.

Dom Gregory Dix's "The Shape of the Liturgy," originally published in 1945, is a classic work that anyone who appreciates the importance and beauty of liturgical planning and development should own. This work represents one of the first serious attempts to influence liturgical reform in the Church of England toward pre-Nicene forms, and Dix's overarching structure of "take,bless, break, and give" still serves us well today. This book is written in a very accessible way, and it provides the background for understanding the theology behind many of the post-Vatican II reforms. I highly recommend it.

Most Liturgical scholars own a copy of Dix's `Shape of the Liturgy.' The reason is that Dix is perhaps the most thorough and erudite liturgical scholar of the 20th century. `Shape' is a classic that has fundamentally shaped most Protestant and Catholic denominations. To the person not familiar with `liturgy,' it means `work of the people,' and is the way in which Christians have traditionally worshipped. It is a common worship, in which the worship of various separate churches is similar, but varies by time of year, and with the local culture.

Dix starts with an introduction to the Liturgy; then he moves on to the performance of the Liturgy. Then he begins his historical quest, in which he attempts to find the roots of the liturgy in the Biblical documents, moving into the pre-Nicene time period. It was in the very early pre-Nicene times that the Eucharist came to consist of a four-action shape: offering, thanksgiving, fraction, and communion. He discusses the Eucharistic prayer, the local traditions, the meaning and theology of the Eucharist, consecration theology, sanctification of time, and the ceremonial. He then discusses the completion of the shape, and the use of variable prayers. Then he covers the medieval liturgy, the Reformation liturgies (with particular attention to Anglican issues), and a call for renewal.

Overall, Dix's work is monumental. Sometimes, it is a bit too monumental. The work is 764 pages long. Much of what he says could be condensed into probably 200 pages effectively. However, his attention to detail is marvelous: he has read every Church father writing 2-3 times! Dix is partly responsible for the rediscovery of Liturgy in most mainline Churches, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church to the United Methodist Church. His research into early liturgies has demonstrated the Jewish nature of many Christian liturgies. I highly recommend this book. However, a little patience is needed to get through the entire book.

I don't know anybody who having read Sharing Words doesn't believe that social transformation by education can be a reality. Sharing Words explains the possibility for adult illiterates to partake of literacy to the extent of reading classical literature. In addition, it outlines how it is possible to overcome the main obstacles like gender, race, age, and ethnicity that curtail literacy experiences and social participation. The reader appreciates how the literary circles and their organization become a democratic educative practice which produce a transformation in the learners, as well as in their daily and societal context. The experiences depicted in this book do away with stereotypes that relate to the low expectations of our society from people who lack a university degree. I identified the two elements that are propagated by Freire, the theoretical base of the educative experience and the dreams evoked by it. From deep understanding of theory and practice, Flecha deals with both in a very accurate way.

Before reading this book, I didn't believe that one person coming from illiteracy could read James Joyce. Going through Sharing Words, I have realized that to believe that this is possible is the only way to make it. Definitely: Sharing Words is a revolutionary book, it do to believe that the people make dreams possible by education.

What most impressed me about this book is how Flecha successfully overcomes the common gap between educational practice and theory. "Sharing words" is about an efficient educational practice which is taking place every week in different places around the world. The secret for the educational practice efficiency is dialogic learning. This innovative way to approach education is convincingly argued for by the author by introducing the powerful intellectual basis - Freire, Habermas, Giddens - which supports it. Flecha not only presents the seven principles of dialogic learning as a theory or as possible outcomes when the theory is applied; he also includes the voices of those who are actually taking part in the practice. This combination of theory and practice is insightful, especially since it is not easily found in the literature. As a result Flecha gives the reader the opportunity to be immersed in the successful learning experience of literacy students reading Kafka, Joyce, Garcia Lorca... an amazing real utopia! The seven principles of dialogic learning are the most exhaustive set of principles to be used to completely overcome all kinds of discrimination and problems that are at the center of the educational debate. All possible bias are taken into account: ageism, sexism, racism, classism... For all these reasons, I strongly feel that "Sharing Words" will be of great interest and of greater reward for all who care about education, believe in social justice and work everyday to make such ideals a reality for all.

What most impressed me about this book is how Flecha successfully overcomes the common gap between educational practice and theory. "Sharing words" is about an efficient educational practice which is taking place every week in different places around the world. The secret for the educational practice efficiency is dialogic learning. This innovative way to approach education is convincingly argued for by the author by introducing the powerful intellectual basis - Freire, Habermas, Giddens - which supports it. Flecha not only presents the seven principles of dialogic learning as a theory or as possible outcomes when the theory is applied; he also includes the voices of those who are actually taking part in the practice. This combination of theory and practice is insightful, especially since it is not easily found in the literature. As a result Flecha gives the reader the opportunity to be immersed in the successful learning experience of literacy students reading Kafka, Joyce, Garcia Lorca... an amazing real utopia! The seven principles of dialogic learning are the most exhaustive set of principles to be used to completely overcome all kinds of discrimination and problems that are at the center of the educational debate. All possible bias are taken into account: ageism, sexism, racism, classism... For all these reasons, I strongly feel that "Sharing Words" will be of great interest and of greater reward for all who care about education, believe in social justice and work everyday to make such ideals a reality for all.

"Sharing Words" is a book to be read if you want to know about an alternative educational method that listens to the voices of those people who are usually descounted. This book demonstrates how any person is able to analyze culture and society on the basis of his/her experience. Knowledge, as it is understood in "Sharing Words", is not only something abstrct with an academic degree; knowledges also comes from life experience and has not a concrete age, gender, colour of skin or preferences, this is, all the people are able to learn from their own capabilities and necessities and have the right to decide what and how they want to learn.

I had read this book's review in the Harvard Educational Review and I had very much anticipated its release, because it seemed to offer a unique look at education, its beneficiaries, and its methods. I must admit the book has measured up to all that deal of anticipation.

In "Sharing Words" Ramón Flecha raises critical issues. The book is both provocative and thought-provoking, and it challenges, in particular, mainstream ways of dealing with the world of literature.

The book offers ways of crossing cultural borders by focusing on the use and enjoyment of literature by ordinary people, and on their views, rather than on those of the elite, which is a somewhat rare approach in our so-called advanced democratic societies. However, these critical approaches are fortunately becoming less and less of an oddity these days, and books such as this one bear witness to that.

By way of a conclusion, I cannot but reproduce the H.E.R. reviewer's literal words: «'Sharing Words' crosses many borders. It highlights both theory and practice; it is both expository and narrative; and it refers as much to educational and social science works as to classical literature. In this way, 'Sharing Words' may be an example of a new way of writing about educational theory and practice, one that results in a captivating and enjoyable experience that invites the reader to share and comment with colleagues, students, and friends.»

Many times in marriage, ministry and with relationships in general, "things can go south for unexpected reasons" and the more one does to correct the problem seems to only make it worse. There could be a relational transference occuring. This book does a great job in identifying such and provides steps to take for healthy resolution.
Ron Hobelman
integritydotmen

McIntyre's book is an absolute MUST read for the lay or professional pastoral worker/counselor. Her insights regarding the dynamic of transference are penetrating and relevant to a proper understanding of the subject. Whether you are being transferred onto, or have engaged in this behavior yourself, McIntyre's book illimunates the subject in such a way as to enlighten the reader to the harmful effects of pressing transferences, the appropriate measures and precautions to take when we're the object of transference, as well as what to do if we're the one in transference. A much needed and useful tool in spiritual and emotional warfare.

The book i personally found very helpful in my own family setting as it looks on why people transfer their emotions onto others. It deals wisely with the need to find wholeness in our relationship with God - to open the memories which when repressed can lead us to transfer onto others. For the one transfered upon the importance of holding onto the truth and not wallowing in a reactive and subjective attitude is made clear. The book has helped me feel less alone and fearful in response to others' transferance and also my own unhealedness. I recommend the book as a 'restoring' book to those 'subject' to their own unresolved needs and those of others.

McIntyre's book is an absolute MUST read for the lay or professional pastoral worker/counselor. Her insights regarding the dynamic of transference are penetrating and relevant to a proper understanding of the subject. Whether you are being transferred onto, or have engaged in this behavior yourself, McIntyre's book illimunates the subject in such a way as to enlighten the reader to the harmful effects of pressing transferences, the appropriate measures and precautions to take when we're the object of transference, as well as what to do if we're the one in transference. A much needed and useful tool in spiritual and emotional warfare.

McIntyre's book is an incredible testimony of personal experience in emotional enmeshment and the underlying spiritual and psychological issues that accompany it. It is also an incredible explication of how this common emotional condition is connected to christian concepts of idolatry. For those who have been caught up in the emotional turmoil and conflict that is common in these kinds of experiences, especially when they come out in a church, counseling or ministry context as well as interpersonal relationships, this book can bring insight and clarity to the spiritual and emotional underpinnings of this common condition. Contrary to some interpretations, this book does not label "transference" as "sin", but rather points out from a testimonial and pastoral perspective how the dynamics of transference play an integral part in emotional enmeshment, emotional dependence and emotional idolatry in present relationships. It also covers well how to deal with it outside the therapy office in the contexts in which it can occurr. It is not a substitute for more in-depth psychological understanding of the concepts presented, or for therapy where it is needed. It is a great book for gaining insight and initial understanding on a pastoral level about issues that are tumultuous and confusing in nature.

This book is an antidote for the cynicism and sense of helplessness that pervades too many of our communities. We are given actual examples of communities builing on their strengths, talents, histories and values to create new energy and optimism. As an amatuer historian, my favorite chapter was the one on preserving the past as a way to begin building the new. Now I have the language to encourage renewal by honoring the past.

Finally, an exceedingly hopeful book about how to effect meaningful change in a community, large or small. Here, Dr. Suzanne Morse, in her characteristic lively and to-the-point style, has given us a guide, repleat with documented examples of how to move the needle on those issues we're all too familiar with: poverty, lack of a board base of leadership, chidren's welfare. Armed with more than 10 years of hands on experience working with groups in communities all across the country, Dr. Morse's book, as well as many of her other supportive pieces such as What Works, guarantees us all that we no longer have to start at square one. If you were depressed by Robert Putnam's novel a few years back, Bowling Alone, which bemoaned the lack of citizen involvement in communities today, this book and the work of Dr. Morse will give you not only hope but the tools to join forces with others where you live to make a difference.
Read it for the cheer joy of finding out how this is done, and done well.Each chapter ends with, How to Get Started in Your Community, a virtual workbook for action. Her reference section will also help guide you in fruitful directions.Putnam's latest book, Better Together: Restoring the American Community, speaks of a hint that citizens are beginning to "bowl together". Dr. Morse's book is proof that they are and have been doing so effectively for the past decade.Enjoy--an exhilerating read.

I got this book because it is being used as a textbook for a college course I am taking, but once I got into the book, I started enjoying it. Morse is a real excellent writer and she makes the subject matter of creating good communities interesting. Normally, I would dread reading a book for class, but this one is a good read especially for those who wnat to be more involved in making a smart community.

I was attracted to this book while looking for insights into strategic thinking for work in another arena. I was not disappointed.

Smart Communities offers many very useable ideas for anyone with responsibilities for thinking and acting strategically to enhance our lives together. And that probably includes most everyone.

Along with very practical help, the accounts and interpretations of real experiences also offer inspiration and hope.

I'm sure that you are busy. I've got a lot of things to do myself, more than I can get done today. And then the time comes when you have to stop being busy, some times you just have to sit and let the batteries recharge. As the old saying goes, sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits.

And the question has to come up of what can one person, you or me do to make the community we live in a better place. Suzanne Morse's book can't tell you what you can do. But it can tell you what other people like you have done. Will her ideas work in New York City, no. Will they work on the block you live in within New York City, in the neighborhood you live in, yes.

Meanwhile I've got to quit writing about this book. I'm going help the local community theater try to get started. I don't know anything about theater, but I can find some way to help, even if it's just sweeping the floor.

Positive thinking, teamwork, relationship-building and creativity are all ideals of the workplace; but just how to problem workplaces become turned around so these ideals can be fostered and encouraged to develop? Turn to Tasos Sioukas' The Solution Path: A Step-By-Step Guide to Turning Your Workplace Problems Into Opportunities for insights into just how: chapters provide a step-by-step guide to common workplace problems which may be viewed as opportunities for positive change. A `vision statement' is advocated throughout the process.

This book has done wonders for me. I was having a very difficult time with my boss and after having read the book my relationship with him changed 180 degrees! Not only do I no longer take his actions personally, but I have acquired very effective skills in communicating with him that have produced win-win results for the two of us. I highly recommend THE SOLUTION PATH

A user-friendly, must-have manual

The Solution Path offers a concise manual on identifying and resolving problems that arise in the workplace and everyday life. The book offers a unique approach to problem solving by presenting practical methods with an emphasis on positive thinking, teamwork, and creativity.

I find the organization of the book extremely helpful. Each chapter includes real-life cases as well as several easy to use exercises that provide readers the opportunity to work on their problems.

Another unique feature of the book is its emphasis on facilitation and teamwork. The Solution Path showed me how to use facilitation and capitalize on the power of my team at every step of the problem solving process. As a result, my team members not only generate many more ideas but also combine them into solutions that are feasible and easier to implement. Facilitation also enabled us to resolve employee conflicts within the team environment. Some of these conflicts were due to personality traits. By utilizing the personality test and exercises, we have started to value our innate personality differences, which resulted in a higher level of productivity.

In addition, unlike other books written on the subject, the author offers spiritual principles that fuel readers with optimism. Readers are inspired to tap into their higher power, view the world as a place filled with abundance rather than scarcity of resources, and approach all their problems in a positive, action-oriented manner. By applying these principles, it almost feels that there are no problems but only solutions.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to maximize managerial skills. The Solution Path is a must-have reference source that I will utilize again and again in my professional and personal life.

The two most precious advantages of this book are its user-friendliness and its effective utilization of "hands on" resources for creating solutions. Sioukas' book will help you reformulate the way you view, deal with, and resolve problems at your workplace and, as I found, within your own personal life.

Throughout my twenty plus years of experience as a corporate executive, I have been exposed to numerous approaches dealing with problem solving. "The Solution Path," not only offers one of the most easy to read and comprehensible tools I have encountered, it also breaks new ground in helping individuals use their inner strengths in harmony with those of their workplace. This book will help you demystify the often complicated processes of effectively working with teams, of envisioning outcomes and developing ideas, and finally, it will empower you to formulate and deliver a strategically sound solution to your problem. It does so by using solid, graspable concepts, and creative, hands-on tools. This book delivers!

The Solution Path helped me resolve my company's organizational problems. Instead of hiring an expensive consultant, I used the principles outlined in the book and resolved all of my problems. It was the best money spent. I would recommend this book to other executives trying to resolve turmoil and find viable solutions.