Montana Books

I've quoted Don Miguel Ruiz in my book, Why not Me? The keys to unlock your power and release your potential. The Four Agreements is a wonderful read, with simple and powerful lessons that all people are well served to observe.

I consider his work to be a must read!

Mark Meincke,
Award Winning Author
Why not Me?
The keys to unlock your power and release your potential

I like this book. It's not earth shattering, but it's not disappointing. I love those covers too. I mention that because I think the cover matches the content exceptionally, it's soft and warm and inviting.

Jane Stevens
Tao Cycle Therapy: Natural Happiness via Self Directed Cure for Chronic Anxiety & Depression [Updated 2008 3nd Edition]

If there's one book that I can highly recommend for absolute freedom in the midst of hell, it is Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements. He says it all in a way that is easy for the average person to understand. This has become my Bible. If you adhere to the four agreements, your chances of literally being in heaven on earth will greatly increase. Though I have to admit that as easy as the four agreements sound, they are rather difficult to follow because in a racist world it is hard not to take things personally when people say bad things about your race even if you know you are not specifically being addressed. In addition, as people we have learned to make assumptions for various reasons and we aren't always impeccable with our word. These are some of the reasons why we should do our best to follow them. In a nutshell the agreements are as follows: be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, and do your best. This book is wonderful and should be read repeatedly and followed so we can all live in peace and be happy. Also read the other books he wrote because he's a great author who seems to geninely care about our well-being.

This is one of my favorites that I have purchased not only the book but the audio as well so I could listen to it on my daily walks. I have read it and listened to it countless times. It offers simply practical steps to living life more authentically. In fact one principle about not taking anything personally fostered in me an amazing transformation in my life. I had finally forgiven years and years of feelings I had towards a family member who is no longer with us. This book helped me get over it completely. I hope it help you as well.

P.S the audio is great, the narrator Peter Coyote has an amazing voice and a knack for narrating this kind of material, well worth it and actually pretty relaxing.



Doron Alon
Author of "The Bible and the Law of Attraction"
ISBN-10: 1435723368
ISBN-13: 978-1435723368

Those are four pretty good agreements. I would like to add a fifth: that Brian Moore does everything for the ladies.

I enjoyed and detested this book. I enjoyed it for the last good look we get at the Old World, where the tale of Roland's coming of age is told. I detested it for being the beginning of the series' decline, where Roland's group begins to wander aimlessly from one random contrivance to another - it's obvious that Stephen puts his imagination into neutral towards the end of Wizard and Glass and just lets it coast along without drive or direction, all the way to the end of the series.

SPOILERS BELOW

- Jonas doesn't even draw when the trap is sprung. He waits slack jawed until he gets blown away point blank? Jonas is probably the only person in that section of the world who can provide any kind of match to Roland gunplay-wise, so this should have been the epic man-to-man battle of the book and turns out to be a huge letdown. However, viewed in the context of the next three books in the series, it foreshadows the convenient ways in which all other big antagonists are eliminated. Jonas, Flagg, Mordred, the Crimson King: all removed from the story almost as afterthoughts, all in offhanded and lazy (on Stephen King's part) ways.

- Come on, ruby slippers and emerald cities? Let the plagiarism begin! Good grief, I wish I really *could* go home again. It looks like Stevie started feeling the same way, returning here to the world of The Stand, and as the series progresses he returns more frequently to characters and locations from his previous works that he is comfortable and familiar with. When he wasn't busy ripping off other authors, that is. Throughout the last 20-30 pages, Stephen beats us relentlessly over the head with a flurry of Wizard of Oz references every 2 or 3 pages. It works out to an average of roughly 1.8 Wizard of Oz references per page over the last 30 pages, it's almost embarassing to read.

- A little too long in Mejis, and not nearly enough time on the fall of Gilead! We spend too much time waiting behind the proverbial Castles hillock with Roland, Alain and Cuthbert. The tale of their first adventure as gunslingers was easily my favorite part of the book, and unfortunately the last interesting part of the series. I spent the rest of the series waiting to learn more of Farson's assault on Roland's world, and how Roland survived and came to be in the desert pursuing the man in black. The old world Stephen created in the flashbacks is far more fascinating than the mishmash of realities he tries to recycle from his previous books from this point forward.

Take the advice offered by others here - stop with Wizard and Glass. Pretend the latter three books don't exist, and be not tempted by them, for they shall utterly destroy any mystique established in the first four books. Perhaps someday Stevie will realize that he still has a chance to fix things, and return one final time to put things right.

Book 3 of the series left off with such a cliffhanger that I couldn't wait to start this one. I have fallen in love with Roland's world and am just so intrigued with every little detail that King has imagined into this land. But with this book you spend almost all of it in Roland's past when he is a kid. I personally didn't like this very much. I don't want to say to much but there wasn't that real grand feeling I was getting when Roland, Eddie, Susannah, and Jake are traveling through the "present." I got pretty tired of the love story and corruption going on for the past portion of this book. It just seemed to drag and drag and to be honest that part of the book could of been about half as long.. It did pick up there from about page 500 and on and will say that I really enjoyed the book from then on but before that the story was really slow and definitely could of been way shorter.

I will say that this book is good but is my least favorite of the first 4. The last 1/4 of the book really kicked it back in gear and when the story of Roland's past is over you I was hooked back into the adventure to the Dark Tower.

The Dark Tower Series is perhaps my favorite series out there...there's nothing quite like it. I've enjoyed all the books in the series for different reasons, but Wizard & Glass has always held a special place in my heart. It's the only book I find special enough to review.

I won't go into specifics on plot ... that's been done here. What I will try to express are the overwhelming feelings that I experienced the first time I read this book. I was in my junior year of college at the time; a whirlwind of responsibility, change, fun, and heartbreak. It is this last facet that I think really drew me to the book, as Roland's story of his first love seemed to resonate with me then. I could feel the excitement of love, embraced it, and also cried with him as I could feel his deep loss of both love and, perhaps more importantly, his youth.

Fast forward 8 years, and here I am going back to listen to Frank Muller's wonderful job reading the book in audio. In doing this I discovered a wonderful thing about W&G ... it resonates as much now as it did way back in college during those frenetic, emotional years. As I sat in the parking lot for an extra 5 minutes listening to the captivating story of Roland before work, I realized it had the same hold on me as it did when I would be up to the wee hours of the morning reading W&G back in college.

It's difficult for me to put into words how amazing this book is...but I'll certainly try. The backstory of Mejis is perhaps King's best writing in any book. He created a tale of rich characters and scenery ... I could almost smell the barony of Mejis it was so familiar. I cared about the characters; felt their horror, love, and anguish. When the tale of Roland's youth was finished, I found myself wishing he would palaver again and tell us a different tale ...

Much has been said about this book and its relevance to the greater story. The argument is often that it could have been skipped and is not crucial to the story. I wholeheartedly disagree. While physically speaking the ka-tet doesn't travel far, emotionally W&G takes us on a roller coaster ride and we gain valuable insight into the central character of the series, Roland. Without this book, Roland is just another loner we meet in the desert in book 1. Instead, for me W&G helped to improve the first book because we better understand the great losses Roland suffered just to get him to that point. The insight gained paints a picture of a man with a range of emotions and a lifetime's worth of loss. This is a painting we need to see to completely understand Roland and his quest.

If you have not read this series, I highly recommend it...and if I was to give one word of advice for new readers, it would be the very advice King gives readers in the final book: Enjoy the journey to the dark tower. While I have read to the end and accepted what is there, the real joy to the series IS the journey.

Long days and pleasant nights.

Whereas the first three of Stephen King's "Dark Tower" books propel the storyline further with every word, this fourth installment takes a bit of a different tact, instead doubling back to give some much-needed backstory on the character of Roland of Gilead.

Thus, with our heroes (Roland, Eddie, Susannah, Jake, and even Oy!) holding palaver around a night campfire, Roland tells a story from his teenage years. In this tale, Roland and friends (Cuthbert and Alain) become trapped in a seemingly unwinnable struggle against shady local townfolk, while at the same time Roland falls madly in love with a local girl who is pledged to become a concubine. Typical King madness!

Many people consider this book to be a "weak link" in the Dark Tower series, as it doesn't really advance the main storyline and it is quite long. Yet, I see it as exactly the opposite. By recounting the exploits of a young Roland of Gilead, the reader is able to better understand the complex emotions that make him the stern, sullen, driven man he is. Plus, Roland's story is absolutely thrilling (I consider it to be the best single portion of the entire Dark Tower series) and will have you turning pages deep into many nights. Make sure to keep the Kleenex box handy, though, as you WILL become emotional wrapped up in Roland's youthful struggles.

Overall, I consider "Wizard and Glass" to be the pinnacle of the Dark Tower series, as it reveals Roland's fascinating childhood and the events that shaped the man he ultimately became. For all you LOST fans out there, I like this book to that show: Without the flashbacks, although they don't advance the actual storyline, the show would be severely lacking in emotional drama and cease to be as entertaining/thrilling as it is. Thus, think of this book as one big flashback...not crucial to the plot, but providing valuable information that will help you connect with Roland on an even deeper level.

I really enjoyed The Waste Lands (Book 3), but I found this book nearly impossible to finish. It felt like filler, not really adding anything interesting to the series. I felt like the book was going backwards when it should have been going forward.

This book was enjoyable and lighthearted. I LUUUUVVV naked pix of Supreme Court Justices, and the fact that WalMart banned the book for that reason. Way to go, DS!

If you like Michael Moore or Al Franken, this book is for you. It would be hard to believe that anyone in America is not familiar with The Daily Show, but this is exactly the type of humor that has won the show Emmy's and plaudits from people and pundits nationwide.

And the book is a steal here at Amazon for just over ten bucks! Buy it if you're a liberal elitist like me with a sense of humor!

The book has its moments , but overall the humor is too contrived. The jokes are obvious and predictable. I think the writers at The Onion do a much better job of political satire/humour. You should read "Our Dumb Century" which is far more humorous and insightful.

Fantastic book! I'm a huge fan of Jon Stewart (I hope he reads this!!).
The professor's comments were interesting, necessary, but could have been more 'in line' with the text, that is, more humorous. Sometimes they were too long, in my opinion.
Love the picture on the cover too. Overall, this book must be read.

This book is hilarious satire, and it reminds me of why I used to love the Daily Show. The show always did a great job of satirizing current events, and this book picks up where the show left off, satirizing things that don't fall so neatly into the "current events" category. It is probably funnier if you have at least some knowledge of American and World history, because you just won't get some of the jokes if you don't. Also, I'd like to add that you can enjoy this book even if you aren't a left-leaner, because it was written before the 2004 election - in other words, before Jon Stewart sold out his comedic integrity for partisanship and changed his show from picking on America to picking on Republicans.

The Daily Show to mainstream news is what America the Book is to history textbooks. It guides you through various aspects of American democracy such as its history, braches of government, and elections with the wit and humor you would expect from the Daily Show writers. In the teachers' edition the inaccuracies, both intentional and not, are corrected by a real history professor, Dr. Stanley K. Schultz.
This is one of my all time favorite books. It's funny and provides consistent laughs throughout. You'll learn a bit in this book as well, especially with Dr. Shultz's often humorous corrections throughout. Nothing, however, is funnier than the fake facts you'll learn in this book. You'll find out who our gayest president was, why our founders would be unelectable today, what really goes on in the Supreme Court, and more.
I would recommend this gem of a book to anyone who wouldn't be disturbed to see the Supreme Court justices nude. Fans of The Daily Show won't be disappointed.

Lisa See's novel, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan," takes us into remote 19th-century China, where girls had their feet bound in a ritual of beauty that started at age 6 and took two full years to complete. From foot-binding onward, girls and women lived secluded in a second-story chamber of their household.
At 80, the narrator, Lily, is the senior woman of a wealthy household, powerful enough that she can speak her mind about her life's treasures and errors. Born in 1823 in the Hunan province, Lily started off as "a second worthless girl" in a poor farming family. Because her feet were high in the arch and potentially breathtaking, she had the potential to marry well and elevate the status of her family. She could also enter a second formal match, to another woman, a lifetime best friend called a sworn sister or laotong.

"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" is the story of such a friendship.

Snow Flower becomes Lily's sworn sister, or "old same," meaning perfect match.
Rural, 19th-century China was a culture in which education and scholarship was limited to the male elite. Women were isolated from anyone who cared about them personally. What they said and how they communicated was rigidly formalized, learning the calligraphy of men was prohibited, so they developed a secret writing called nu shu. Only in nu shu and only to each other could they write or speak from the heart.

The first communication between Snow Flower and Lily was inscribed on a fan in the code of nu shu. The secret fan became the journal of their lives.

That fan guides Lily as she records her memoirs. She filters her memories through the late-life awareness of what mattered and what didn't. And what mattered most of all was the friendship with Snow Flower.

I was hoping this book would be like an Amy Tan book. I had a hard time getting through it though. I was disappointed. It's not that good.

This book was very interesting and a real eye opener on ancient Chinese culture. It brought about a lot of great discussion at my book club.

I received this book later than usual. It was mailed on October 10th, but was not delivered until October 21st.

I HAVE PURCHASED 2 OTHERS FOR FRIENDS, THIS IS A GREAT BOOK. LISA SEE IS AN INCREDIBLE WRITER, I AM ON HER 3RD BOOK NOW, I HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS BOOK FIRST.
THANK YOU

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was a wonderful, loving, and tragic story of friendship and betrayal that teaches the reader much about compassion and forgiveness. We felt that Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was a book that truly transcended time and culture. This plot, with two women at its center, encompasses the hurt, pain, anguish, and undying compassion two women felt for each other. The author's ability to paint `true and clear' pictures of her characters allows you to see into their soul; thus developing a deeper understanding of both the men and women portrayed in the book.

This is a memorable piece that allows you to experience feelings that you have faced either through your own life or the life of a loved one. After reading it, many of us were forced to rethink the experiences we've had in the 20th century and how they are reminiscent of the events shown in the book: dishonesty, betrayal, a desire to survive, illness. All of these ultimately ending up with a common denominator of devotion and forgiveness.

Many of us cried as we completed the book because we came to the realization that this would not be a happily ever after tale. "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" was a great story with twists and turns you might not anticipate. Through this book many can better understand how far women have come since the days of foot binding; it also shows us how far we have not come from sharing a sisterhood of secrets, compassion, betrayal, and unconditional love as sisters. This was an excellent story and we highly recommend it.

What I specifically like about this book is the diagram of the brig and
the discussion of sailing lore.
In this same age Herman Melville wrote the classic Moby Dick: After the story by Herman Melvill (Classics in colour)
which has a lot of whaling trivia, but it is clear to see that
the sea wasn't a place for an 13 year old girl,
yet cabin boys of that age were common.
The sexual lines were drawn clearly,
but she found her way over them
to a ship and a family of sailors
who accepted her better than her own family could?
The book is well written and easy reading.
Much of the action you feel like you are reading Treasure Island (Enriched Classics Series).
That places this book as a new classic...

"The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle," is an amazing story in which a young girl discovers that there is more to life than having servants wait on you, dresses being just perfect and keeping your skin white and pure. While on a ship to her new home Charlotte finds that there is a whole other person that has been stuck inside of her this entire time. Who knew that it would only take a voyage on a ship to let it out? While upon this ship she has the experience of a lifetime that changes her life forever. During her journey the murder of a man takes place and Charlotte turns out to be blamed! But none other than the Captain turns out to be the murderer!Throughout this book the feelings of this girl change tremendously! I think it is an awesome book and would definitly recommend it!

The Adventures Of Charlotte Doyle was an amazing book filled with terrific and engenious adventures. This book is so amazing and great that I didn't want to put the book down. My teacher Mrs. Sherman had told my reading group one day that we had to read two chapters of our book. I really didn't want to because I wanted to go outside and play. When I had gotten home though, I had found that I couldn't put the book down. I just had to keep on reading and I couldn't stop. I read two whole chapters more then I had needed to because I had liked the book so much. I didn't have enough time to go outside and play. I didn't really even care though. The book was so amazing that I got myself in and I couldn't get myself out. From this story I laerned that money truley isn't everything. I had heard this saying many, many times before, but only after I had read the book did I truley understand what this was really about. I really truley did enjoy this book, and loved it more then I had ever thought that I would! I really think that you should read this book!

Charlotte Doyle was a great book.It's a great experience. Anyone who's anyone will love this book.
My teacher,Mrs. Sherman,grouped me up with three other girls to read this book.At the sight of the first page I thought that it was going to be a challenge,a total mess. But as me and my friends read on with Mrs.Sherman,I found it to be very draining at first.I know,it sounds like I had a totally bad temperment about books that have very vivid spelling and words,but trust me,my dad gives me books that are over a thousand pages long and that they have such hard words,you could hardly say them. But when I dug my head deeper into the book and drained my whole days schoolwork to finally understand the book,my mind whizzed with ideas for all my new projects.
When I found out that Charlotte was going to be sailing with a Captain who took a man's arm off for not tying a not correctly,I was frightened.I gasped acouple of times until one of my friend,Brandi,said to me, "Man,try to level your voice,it's just a little chapter book."Jessica,another one of my reading buddies,also added,"Yeah,c'mon.I mean,it's just a character in a book."I never believed them.
Charlotte encountered many adventures with the crew. She finally made partial friends with Zachiriah,the black cook that was at least seventy. Charlotte, being spoiled and rich,she thought at first that the crew and men,including the first mate,Mr.Hollybrass,where unrich,dirty snobs. But poor Charlotte.She was mislead by the Captain, Captain Jaggery,that he was indeed a kind man.I thought about what Charlotte said,about how kind,gentlemen was,and how he was just at her class,and maybe just like her father.
Charlotte though,in the end,found out about the Captain's ways and managed,by mistake,to throw him overboard and have him lost at sea forever.Charlotte was a very brave girl and she and her book deserve five stars.
Kayla

I was required to read this book for school and couldn't help having a bad attitude towards it. At first I expected it to be boring and drawn-out but found something much different. This novel shows a girl change in her thoughts, feelings, appearence, and overall self. After an exciting and mysterious voyage on a feared ship whith a twisted crew and captain charlotte finds herself with a whole new perspective. This book has great descriptions, you feel like you know Charlotte very well, it is a little confusing because of the references to the setting of a ship that most people are not familiar with, but shockes you with a surprise ending. Fabulous story that you will thorouly enjoy reading!

I recently reviewed Recorded Books Incorporated's unabridged rendition of Fellowship of the Ring. I return now to review the second installment of the trilogy, The Two Towers. The Two Towers pics up right where Fellowship left off. Frodo and Sam have left to find a way into Mordor, while Merri and Pippin have gone in search of them. Aragorn, drawn away from his search for Frodo by the urgent call of Boromir's horn, finds the man mortally wounded in a clearing, surrounded by the bodies of many Orcs. With his last breath, Boromir confesses his attempt to take the ring from Frodo and warns that Pippin and Merri have been captured by the Orcs. After a simple ceremony in which the body of Boromir is laid to rest in one of the three Elven-made boats in which they travelled and sent down the river to the falls of Rauros, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimley resolve to hunt down the Orcs and rescue the captive Hobbits.
Thus begins the second installment of Lord of the Rings. As before Rob Englis delivers a top notch performance. He continues his trend of actually singing the songs in his good tenor rather than just reciting them as other narrators have done. He portrays each new character very well as far as I'm concerned, which makes for a great listen. From the opening lines to the end, this book should keep you under its spell, even if you've read it many times before.

Tolkien's creativity soars in this second installment as he introduces monsters galore, both good and evil. The adventure is as tangible as always, and we still continue to cheer for our heroes in this classic tale of good vs. evil in a magical land that is as real as anything on a nowaday map.

Characters return and characters die, we meet new ones and our blown away by their realism and depth.

Plus, this book is just a lot of fun.

This book is amazing. The story is wonder and it draws you in. It takes you to a whole other world and allows you to live in it as an observer of amazing and epic events.
This is edition is one of the best editions. The maps in the back are excellent and it's quality is superior to a lot of other books that I have seen. It has a glossed cover and the ink is dark. Even at the price of $12 this book is WELL worth the money.

With this book, the second installment in "The Lord of the Rings" (a single extremely long novel, not a trilogy), things start to fall into place. The Fellowship of the Ring was great, but it felt like it was basically build-up for bigger things to come. Well, by the time "The Two Towers" starts, the ball is rolling, and fast.

I was weary about the decision to split the book into two halves, one half dealing with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin, and the other half dealing with Frodo, Sam, and Gollum, because I thought it might have been a wiser decision to mix it up a bit; have one chapter deal with Aragorn and company, the next with Frodo and company, and so on. However, the way it is set up is probably for the better. Each half read very well, advancing this classic story in big ways.

Again, as I mentioned in my review for "Fellowship," Tolkien's work isn't for the impatient reader. His beefy sentences demand that you comb through them, soaking in the language and appreciating the intensely thought-out sub-creation of Tolkien's Middle-earth. Thing is, that kind of writing isn't for everyone. I've read pompous reviewers insulting those who don't appreciate Tolkien's style, but the "get on with the story, Tolkien" complaints are not without merit. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Two Towers" and consider the overall arc of The Lord of the Rings to be a classic and timeless story, but the style of writing can, at times, grate against one's patience.

So I'll end my review for this book by including something I said in my review for "Fellowship," which very much applies here: "Pour a cup of tea. Heck, sit it on a tea cozy. Turn off your phone, and absorb the writing. Visualize the mountains, rivers, all of the scenery. Feel what is happening, don't just read it. True, there is a lot of back story that could have been taken out, but it wasn't. So deal, and read it--most of it, if not all, is interesting."

PS: The character arc of Gollum (and his dialogue!) alone is worth reading this book. We loves it, my precious!

10/10 Classic.

I didn't enjoy this as much as the first part of the trilogy, but it was still pretty good. Strangely divided, though. The events of this book take place simultaneously in two locations, and rather than skipping back and forth, Tolkien for some reason tells all of what happens in one place, then jumps to the other parallel story, occasionally giving chronological markers -- while such and such was happening in the great battle to the north, yada yada. Still, a good, and obviously crucial part of a great overall story.

I found it interesting for the first half of the book but then it became redundant and tedious.

This is the gripping story of three generations of women. It is not only an autobiography; it is the story of China's past. This book, told in story form, is a first- hand account of the many changes and horrors endured by the Chinese people. The Author's beautiful grandmother, whose feet were bound at age two, became a concubine to a famous general in the warlord government. Her parents were high officials in the People's Republic. But their positions did not prevent them from torment. The Cultural Revolution and other historical movements impacted every member of Jung Chang's family in life altering ways. They suffered intolerably. The author describes the life of her mother who raised her children without emotional support from her husband or from the Communist Party, to which both parents at the time belonged. Jung Chang is the third generation daughter of China in this personal story. The reader will learn about the Kuomintang under Chiang Kai-shek, the Japanese invasion, the famines, land reforms, denunciations, Red Guards, Chairman Mao (who made such declarations as the burning of books and art, pulling out grass, destruction of temples, etc.) and Mme. Mao who made cruel commands of her own. There are lessons to be learned in reading about masses believing whatever their leaders tell them and following their dictates unquestioningly. It is frightening and compelling at the same time.

Although many of the author's accounts of atrocities perpetrated on the populace are difficult to comprehend and uncomfortable to read, it is a valuable book for those who want to know more about the history of a country where a fifth of humanity lives in our shrinking globe and now has one of the fastest growing economies; China currently holds a trillion dollars in U.S. securities. Reading Wild Swans is a good way to understand the Chinese culture in the 20th century and the generations who endured great hardships at the hands of those described in this book. It is uplifting to see the influence of Chang's parents in her decision making and read of her own acts of bravery and compassion. I won't divulge the ending, but Chang does find happiness.

It was inspiring to read about the personal integrity, ethical standards, courage and moral values in the face of incalculable brutality, degradation and mindless destruction of real people, not fictional characters. Jung Chang spared no detail in describing these virtues and vices in telling her story. If you want better insight and understanding of China, for a firsthand account -Read Wild Swans! This is a very significant book and I highly recommend it.

Spanning three generations of Chinese women, this 508 page tour de force is breathtaking in its scope. Each of the characters in this book is fully developed. The reader learns about life in communist China. It is almost too much to bear reading about the severe hardships endured by these brave women. My only criticism, and a minor one at that, is that as the Cultural Revolution squeezed out all of the old, beautiful and the traditional from society, it also made it difficult, if not impossible, for the author to convey the truly raw emotion that must have been experienced by members of her family and their friends as they suffered through the years of Mao. Nevertheless, as China continues to evolve and play a larger role on the world stage, this book helps us to understand how far the Chinese have come.

Stephen Ira Tamber

Wild Swans is an amazing, eye-opening look at China's past and reveals much about why China is the country it is today. I spend about 6 weeks in China (in manufacturing) per year, yet never began to understand what some of the people I work with with have been thru until I read this book. People my parents age being tortured, being starved, seeing arbitrary violence and murder of their children, their families, entire villages. Compared to Mao, Hitler was a nice guy. So few people seem to know or care about the needless starvation, violence & sadistic political game-playing that was inflicted on China by it's own government resulting in deaths of millions of people. I couldn't put this book down. Jung interweaves her family's history with the history of the country in a matter of fact way, documenting China as I have never seen it before. This is a must read.

I've had this book on my shelf since published in 1991 and decided this week to read it. I am sorry I waited so long. Beautifully written and an invaluable insight into the Chinese mind. In my opinion it goes a very long way toward explaining the historical distrust between Chinese and Western peoples. Chinese people could not/were trained not to express their thoughts (and in many instances were encouraged to not even have thoughts) and this lack of ability to communicate directly is perceived as untrustworthy by Westerners. I did have to laugh when I read that Chinese told their children to be grateful for their food as children in the capitalist West were starving! (Being of an age where when I said "yuck" I was told children in China were starving and I should be glad I wasn't.) But many did starve and many more were starved of spirit and individual thought. An outstanding and extremely readable history of a period of relatively recent political events and the results therefrom. Alas, the philosophy and practices of Mao have permeated many other parts of the world.

"Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It"

The problem with small businesses is that most people work in it, rather than on it. People turn what was once a labor of love into a love of labor. They focus so much on trying to capture the moment that they stop being in the moment.

Gerber, the world's number one small business guru, points out that there are three key roles one must master to create a successful system: the entrepreneur (the visionary), the manager (the planner), and the technician (the doer). He shows us how to create a step-by-step turn-key franchise that leverages the power of a strategic system to make a world of our own.

This book transformed my life and my businesses to create replicable, scalable models that would succeed on their own. In the past, I wanted to do everything on my own. Because the companies relied on me to succeed, they could not function without me.

This book shows you how to build lasting legacies that allows others to experience your version of the world.

My life transformed with martial arts, philosophy, and psychology at 12. The next revolution happened when I was 20.

I never realized how businesses and martial arts are exactly alike until I read this quote in The E-Myth, which was taken from Joe Hyams, who wrote the book Zen in the Martial Arts.

"A dojo is miniature cosmos where we make contact with ourselves -- our fears, anxieties, reactions, and habits. It is an arena of confined conflict where we confront an opponent who is not an opponent but rather a partner engaged in helping us understand ourselves more fully. It is a place where we can learn a great deal in a short time about who we are and how we react in the world. The conflicts that take place inside the dojo help us handle conflicts that take place outside. The total concentration and discipline required to study martial arts carries over to daily life. The activity in the dojo calls on us to constantly attempt new things, so it is also a source of learning -- in Zen terminology, a source of self-enlightenment."

Gerber says, "That is exactly what a small business is!"

The E-Myth Revisited served as my introduction into the entrepreneur world. Raised in an entrepreneur family, this book hit home. It also helped create a niche within my own medical career more than a decade ago. The E-Myth is my favorite business book.

Michael Gerber tells the story of Sarah, who went from making pies for fun to managing a store that delivered pies as a business. She soon became enslaved to her business, dreading the love she once had. But more so, unable to grow the business to achieve her vision.

Gerber's ability to simplify complex concepts into practical ones is masterful. I would recommend this book to any person who is considering to launch his or her own business and to any executive who would like to run his or her group as if managing their own business.

The single most important book to read BEFORE starting your own business. The e-Myth is that most people think they've created a business when all they've really done is created a job. Please don't start a business before reading this book because it will help you avoid the pitfalls (most new ventures fail) but because it helps you evaluate the why and the costs of venturing out on your own.

Much has been said about this book so I won't rehash it. The success of this book and its long history of being a best seller (let alone in print) speaks for itself. There is real gold in this book. Gerber divides the many hats an entrepreneur wears into three categories: the leader, the manager, and the technician. Gerber outlines a good business model. I wish I had read this 20 years ago.

A business is created to be an asset and possibly be sold - not to create a job for yourself. Not understanding that principle (and the how to do it) will cause you to work very very hard and not make much money, or even go bankrupt. Read this book and proactively prevent many problems and heartache - especially in your bank account.

If you are going to start a business or already have a business, you have to read this book or at least get the audio version. This book is definitely a great choice. Instead of learning from your mistakes, take the short cut and get this book and learn from someone else's mistakes.

You'll be happy you did.

This is the worst book ever that I read on any subject. Why did this book sold over million copies was the biggest question I had after attempting to read this book. I did not find single page in the book that really useful to me.

I am sure this book sold 1 million copies only because of its title and not the content.

Reasons:
1. Authors language and narration is the worst ever.
2. It is written for those who don't understand business (example one who bakes pie is not necessarily educated or has business degree)
3. The book is very misleading for entrepreneurs and the most de-motivating book ever.
4. This book is written from negative standpoint, people generally need encouragement which is hard to find in this book unless you really want to believe this author and fail in your business.
5. I am okay with franchisee business model, however the the way author presented this case makes be do the opposite i.e to never ever own a franchisee.

Let me say this: Don't ever buy this book, I got this one free from person trying to sell me franchise business and now I hate them for giving me this stupid book.

Why would you trust this review: I have studied Masters in Business Administration and I understand right and wrong approach to small and large business. There are thousands of good books on business and this is the worst ever.

This book truly is a "miniature edition." It could serve as a coaster - BUT if you ever decide to use it as one, make sure you read the inside from cover to cover. The contents are hillarious. You could read this entire book from the time you start a load of laundry and finish it before the timer to the dryer goes off ... AND ... it would be one of the most enjoyable loads of laundry you'll ever remember doing. I ordered three of these books - one for myself, and one for each of my sister's (best friends)! Great gift idea for the girls!

The read was cute. I got a few chuckles out of the book. But when ordering I didnt notice that it was a miniature and was so very disappointed in that fact. Whether it was an over sight on my part or misleading by Amazon, I'm not sure. So as far as that is concerned, only a mid rating.
I did enjoy the mini enough to order the "REAL" book and have started reading and enjoying that.

I have been meaning to read this book for years, because it sounded so funny. When I finally ordered a copy, I was a bit let down.
I expected a funny take on being a southern woman, with a lot of teasing about being an improper southern belle ("fallen").
What I found was a lot of cliches and stereotyping---not of the female southerner, but more sitcom-style. The author relies heavily on traits that we females supposedly tend toward, but I don't find most of them to be true. I also don't see the behavior of the Queens as very funny--mostly snarky to their aquaintances, rude to outsiders, condescending to men, and uncreative. I also don't get the heavy reliance on sexual jokes and innuendo. My friends and I don't talk like that, yet we are not prudes.
It would be funny if the author didn't appear to belive in her own dogma, but she says she does, so I guess I'll have to take her at her word. No matter, I've got this one up for swap and won't finish it.

Fun take on life from a woman's perspective, great recipes and the straight skinny on how to get men to behave. If you haven't read the Sweet Potato Queens you are missing out on a good time and some great advice on men and life in general.

Jill, if you read your own reviews and I hope you do: this is for you.
First, the world in general is right: you are hilarious You have a gift, sister. And I would have given you five stars just for that. But honestly Jill, you know darn well that when humor becomes degrading it is not really humor at all.
There are a lot of us out here who may be "young and hip", but we're not stupid. Your mother and her friends were right: private bedroom experiences (whether right or wrong) do not need to be publicly hashed over and laughed at.
Apparently this sort of thing used to be referred to as "trash". Now it's "what's for dinner"-everywhere...
You seem to have a whole lot more to offer. Skip the trash, keep the hilarity. God gave you your gift for a reason. Use it with intelligence and you can change the world-for good.

The product arrived quickly and in excellent condition. This was a gift so I was especially pleased in the prompt service a good condition. I would definitely buy from this dealer again.

A stunning story of a man who survived the horrors of concentration camps. He is a psychiatrist and developed his own theories and method of therapy called logotherapy. The book covers his experience in a concentration camp and the second half of the book explains his philosophy of logotherapy. Frankl says that the meaning of life is found in every moment of living; life never ceases to have meaning, even in suffering and death. He encourages his patients and readers to live a full life by looking to the future rather than reliving the past.

Quotation: "Self-transcendence of human existence: Being human always points, and is directed, to something, or someone, other than oneself - be it a meaning to fulfil or another human being to encounter. The more one forgets himself - by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love - the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself..."

Excellent read. Highly Recommended.

Just in case, if one wants to ascertain the level of endurance human beings possess, he needs to go no further than read through the experiences at concentration camps as recalled by a survivor - Viktor Frankl - in this book.

And considering that a will to survive does not manifest only in situations where life is at stake, physically, but at various stages in life, where even smallest of problems can seem mammoth and wreck havoc in making life miserable at psychological level, the lessons contained in this book have vast practical applications, when it comes to understanding our survival instinct.

The basic principle which differentiates a survivor from a loser is well highlighted by the following quote, which is often cited by the author in the book - 'The one who has a why to live can bear almost any how.'

I would highly recommend this book and would suggest re-reading it a few times because it would better enable on to grasp and internalize the importance of the subject addressed in this book and appreciate the viewpoint of the author.

I first read this book in college many years ago as I was working on my degree in psychology. An excerpt from it is in John McCain's autobiographical book, Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir. I was glad to be reminded of this book which I had not read in years. I found my old copy on the shelf but I am also glad to learn it is still available.

The comparison between Frankl and McCain as prisoners is striking. Both of them emphasize the basic human need for meaning and purpose. Both share incredible horrors of prison camp as well as the human ability to look beyond present circumstances, to keep the horrid memories from continuing as sources of torture years after the actual experiences.
We can apply this ability to many of the unfortunate experiences in our lives. It is not only an attitude of forgive and forget, it is the need to keep the horrors or smaller angers from continuing to torment us.

It is more than a little frightening that there are people who deny that the Holocaust even happened. I hope you read Frankl's book. Fully grasp the reality of his day and apply it to today's needs and problems.

This is a wonderful book to read merely because of it's main message. Read it and find out the meaning of the title.