Media Books

This is a great buy for any one interested in learning what it takes to become a celebrity assistant. I read this book as research material for a film project and it was eye-opening to learn just how valuable the roles high-profile assistants play maintaining the lives of their employers. You don't have to work for a celebrity to use the tools this book provides. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in becoming an assistant, want to be a better assistant, or even if you want great tips on managing your own life more effectively, this book is loaded with great tips from the pros.

Bonnie Low Kramen's book has become a valuable resource for me as an executive assistant in a high-profile investment firm. Bonnie's style of writing is one that makes you feel like you are sitting across the table from her, enjoying lunch and a chat while she reveals her secrets to success as an assistant. I have read the book in its entirety more than once and still pick it up often to read different sections, each time getting something new out of the book. Bonnie writes with poise and grace, which is obviously indicative of how she handles herself as one of the best celebrity assistants out there. This book is a must have resource for anyone who wants to excel as an assistant!

I own a search firm which specializes exclusively in recruiting Executive and Personal Assistants who are at the very top of their profession! I have been in this search specialty for well over 25 years.

Bonnie Low Kramen has written a much needed and delightfully entertaining book which shares her secrets to high level success as a top Executive/Personal Assistant. In spite of Bonnie's own great professional success and celebrity window on the world, she writes with humility, humor, and a warm and engaging style.

I have purchased many copies of the book to give to placed candidates. These are Executive and Personal Assistants who are all at the very top of their game. They have loved the book and..so have I!!

Thanks to the knowledge I gained from the book - nine months into my new job I received an excellent performance review as an executive assistant and also as a personal assistant to a high-powered executive and his spouse. I especially liked the entertaining examples for creative problem solving and exploring options for pulling off miracles. I learned how to prepare for "whatever it takes moments" - and it worked. I saved the day for my employer when he was late for a plane. I loved the challenge. Be The Ultimate Assistant reminds us, "You don't get if you don't ask." I called the airport and asked if they could open up a few more security lines as the lines were really long and my employer was running late and might miss his flight. The lady I was talking to said she would see what she could do. The next email I received was from my employer telling me, "Never mind about the next flight, they opened up more lines." I just smiled and emailed back - "Yes, I know, I just talked to them." He emailed back - "You're a Star!" The resources in the book are worth the cost of the book alone. I love learning from the success of others -- enjoy the read.

Everything you need to know to be a top-notch assistant is in this marvelous and entertaining book. Bonnie Kramen has written a fun, wise, and insightful guide to what it takes to assist an Oscar-winning actor. I recommend this book for everyone who wants to learn how to work well (or better) with people--which means all of us! This is a classic business reference that should be on every book shelf.

The book I read was A Bear called Paddington, and it was very good. The author of A bear called Paddington was Michael Bond who has been writing children's books since 1995. A Bear called Paddington is a fantasy story.

A bear called Paddington has 8 stories in the book. First story...Mr. and Mrs. Brown find a bear who had came to America from darkest Prue. The train Stations name was Paddington so they named him Paddington. Paddington has no family so the Browns takes the bear to there house. Second story... Mr. and Mrs. Brown have 2 children, Judy and Jonathon, they really like Paddington. Paddington always has his hat o which actually saves his life. When Paddington was in the bath and forgot how to swim so he poured the water on the floor out of his hat. Third story... Paddington, Mrs. Brown ad Judy go underground somewhere, and o the way there, they lost all there money so as soon as they get there they don't have ay money for tickets. So all 3 of them looked for the money for the tickets. Fourth story Paddington, Judy ad Mrs. Brown go shopping and Paddington have never been on an elevator so he wants to go on one. They got off the elevator and Paddington hates it so much. Fifth story... On day a grocery man tells Paddington how to get paint off stuff. After hearing that, Paddington wanted to try, so he found an old and tried to erase it but it makes an even bigger mess. Sixth story... The whole family went to the theater. Paddington loves it so much that now he wants to be in show business. So he creeps I the actor's dressing room to find the main person, Sir Sealy. Sir Sealy gives Paddington a special part in the play. Seventh story... the whole family go's to the sea and Judy, Paddington and Jonathon enter a sad castle contest and one of them wins. Eighth story... Paddington gets a magic kit for his birthday in the end he vanished 2 thing's and broke one thing.

This book was one of my favorites, it was so good. One bad thing is that it was very easy to understand. I would recommend this book to third or fourth graders.

Paddington is very funny when he does little mistakes. Paddington is a very interesting character that is lovable to everyone. Whenever I'm bored I read it, usually, even though we have already read it. You should mainly buy it for your kids, but you should read it to them because adults like it as much as the kids do. I like all the Paddington books, but my favorite one is the first one. Paddington is a wonderful character and he is my most favorite on earth.
by a 9 year- old (almost)girl from the USA

We LOVE this CD set! I bought it 2 years ago for my daughter to listen to for naps and bedtime, and now at age 5 she's STILL asking for it every night.

I like the fact that both CDs are over an hour long, she likes that there are several stories on each CD to keep her attention. The plots aren't too complicated for her to follow, but they do force her to pay attention and focus on the cd, which is key for naptime. :) Stephen Fry's voice is wonderfully soothing to listen to, and he does a great job of distinguishing between the various characters -- key for books on CD!

As she's gotten older Caroline has begun to appreciate some of the silliness that is Paddington, but the stories are nicely entertaining even without that element. We parents don't mind listening to Paddington in the car when we're on trips. All in all, I say this CD set is well worth this money, it's one that will really grow with you!!

This proved to be a wonderful purchase. The stories are entertaining for both parents and children and are perfect for long car trips. Excellent alternative when you don't want the kids in front of the television.

A classic! I loved Paddington as a child and I'm thrilled to have this in our CD collection. (I'd even listen without the kids!). Stephen Fry reads the stories very well.

I used this book as a resource for teaching African art. My K-2 students love the pictures of the African animals and don't even realize they are "reading" as they recite the book's rhythms and rhymes along with me. Tying in art with social studies and culture is a great way to reinforce lessons! The students can't wait until Sit Tight and Read time - they all want to read this book again and again.

This was purchased so my Granddaughter could have one at her house because she loves the one at my house so much. An "old standard" that is loved for it's wonderful words and repetitions.

i saw this on reading rainbow when james earl jones narrated it. its my favorite story from the series because it shows how everything is connected, coming together to perform one action. it also inspired me to do cartoon based on how the protagonist made it rain.

I bought this book after having it recommended while taking a graduate level children's literature class. I was not disappointed! I grabbed this book to read aloud if I had extra time while substitute teaching for a kindergarten class. I thought the children would be more attracted to the rhyme and pattern of the words so imagine my surprise when the book sparked a lengthy discussion between 5 year olds about drought, Africa, animals, and culture! It prompted questions that I didn't even know they were capable of asking and had them making connections to weather in our own backyard and stories they heard on the news. This book is a reading, social studies, and science lesson in one!

After hearing James Earl Jones read this book on Reading Rainbow, I knew I had to buy it. My two very young sons (ages 1 and 2) sat entranced the whole time. Of course that may have been because it was the voice of Darth Vader, but hey, it's a great book all on its own. My husband now reads this book to them at bedtime every night.

This book is about a girl who finds out who she truly is through many painful experiences. Cecile, who's humble father never accepts anything from anybody, is very surprised when her father helps a woman who is of French royalty and when she asks for anything to give to Cecile's father, he asks if she might be a servant to the french royalty. Cecile gets whisked away to the palaces of Versaille, which is what "gates of gold" means. She learns proper ediquette, getting a job to tending the woman's 12 dogs. She learns a side of herself that she never thought she had through tending and walking the dogs, also meeting a soon to be "his royal highness" Bretagne, who was about 5-7 years old. Through the dogs, Cecile and Bretagne create a heartwarming relationship, which is tested over the months that Cecile lives at the palace. This book is based on actual history, although the author does a very good job adding her own twist of fiction into the story. This book ends suddenly and heart-breakingly, which I'll warn the emotional readers about. You will love this book.

Cecile is a heartwarming, cheerful and peaceful young girl. Serving at court was one of her most important dreams. However, when she finally got the chance to work there, it was nothing like she had expected. The worst part about working there was being apart from her father. Cecile felt that she had to be there with her father and tend to his growing cold. While at court, she becomes friends with the royal family. This book has many joyful and unfortunalty, some hard times. I would recomend this book to any young girl around the age of 12. This is a very touching book and teaches all a very improtant lesson. Dream big becuase what you dream may come true and change your life forever.

Young 12-year-old Cecile Revel helps save Madame -sister in law to the king- and as a reward, Madame takes Cecile from her poor town of Rileaux to Versailles to work for her Madame's dogs. Cecile is not used to etiquette, and breaks many rules at first. Then she gets into the swing of things and is a great worker. But then an outbreak of measles effect her friends, the king's great grandsons. If you want to know what else happens, you should read the book. I didn't like the ending chapter, so be warned. I would recogmend this book for children 10-15, this being about a French girl with historical hapennings through the book. This was a great book!!

Cecile is a young girl living in 16th Century France. She and her father have little money to support themselves, and are barely getting by. But when she discovers a woman in the middle of the woods, crying for help, her life changes drastically.
The woman turns out to be the queen. Cecile comes to her rescue, and in turn, the queen hires her as a servant. Cecile knows the money will benefit her family, so she gows to work in the palace.
Very well done.

The year is 1711, and 12-year-old Cecile Revel, is a peasant girl living in the French countryside with her Doctor Father. Cecile is stricken by poverty, and her daily life consists of going hungry and facing various hardships. Her one dream is to serve at the court of King Louis the XIV's court, where she will have the opportunity to wear gorgeous gowns, attend balls, and eat her fill of marvelous foods. However, when her dream comes true due to a fluke, Cecile realizes that serving at the court is unlike anything she's ever imagined. Instead of playing, and racing through the lovely gardens, Cecile is forced to spend many long, agonizing hours learning proper etiquette. Then Cecile learns some strange information about her Father, and the short time that he spent at the court, and realizes that maybe court-life isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I have been a fan of the AMERICAN GIRL series for years, and was ecstatic to see the new series PLEASANT COMPANY was publishing for older readers. I received every book in the GIRLS OF MANY LANDS series for Christmas, and while I have only read two, I already know that CECILE: GATES OF GOLD is sure to stay one of my absolute favorites. Cecile is a marvelous character, whose kind nature, and friendly outlook on life are two traits that will have readers wanting to know what will happen to Cecile next. Mary Casanova has done a fabulous job with writing this novel, and her historical information couldn't be better. A must-read!

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Zac and Tash are on their home planet, but they had to leav quickley because the planet was going to be blown up by the death star, a weapen created by the empire. Zac Tash and their uncle Hoole were put on a transporter to get to the nearest planet. The planet was called City of the Dead. They went to the planet to buy a star ship, but while on the planet Zac made some friends and to get into the club. He had to go into the middle of the sacreat grave yard and stab a knife into the ground in front of the mosleam but when he does a hand shoots out of the ground and grabs his foot.

IT IS A GOOD BOOK I RENTED IT FROM MY SCHOOL LIBRARY FOR ACR . I DID NOT REALLY WANT TO READ IT . BUT IM GLAD I DID. IT IS A GOOD BOOK

OMG! You have to have this book if you like this series. It's great. But I warn you...it's HIGHLY freaky and so sad....sniffle...While voyaging to the planet Necropilis Tash and Zak run into some big problems...and meet some new friends. This stroy was well written , and hautingly sad , as I went to be crying soon after....be warned chara death....but nothing seroius. So anywayz you SHOULD SHOULD SHOULD buy it.

This is the most coolest book I have ever read. Zak was In the hands of bobafett for some time . zaks friend died from DR. DEATH and nobody belived him. will zak be DR. DEATH'S next victim . If you want to know read this book It will blow you away. Buy this book today.

If you like action and fun this is a great book to read, I got it mainly because I like Boba Fett and when I read I loved it. It's a great story about Zac and Tash and their Uncle Hoole go to a planet called Necropolis and how they get pretty mixed up with Boba and get into a bit of trouble.

Ned Begay, a six year old kid, who had to leave his Navajo home, in America and join a boarding school, had to learn the English language and the American ways. In the boarding school, he was not allowed to speak his native language and if he did, there were consequences. Japan was one of the most powerful countries, at that time. Soon Japan started attacking America and World War 2 began. Marine recruiters started looking for Navajos to join the Marines. Ned Begay joined the Marines. He was a code talker, who was not allowed to tell anyone, not even his own family. He would send and receive messages in a secret code. The code was extremely difficult to learn and only a Navajo could learn it. For every letter in the English Alphabet, a Navajo word was assigned. After a lot of practice of the code, Ned was shipped to Hawaii, to battle the Japanese. They had to take an exercise on the big island of Hawaii to experience all kinds of terrains. They had to cross a desert, on foot, in two days and everyone had only one bottle of water. By second day, everybody had collapsed, and only the Navajos had water left. The Navajos were nothing but the best. They had to write a letter to the Colonel to get some drinking water in the desert. After a few days, Hawaii was filled with blood, and dead bodies. Read the book, to find out what happens next. I liked the book " Code Talker " because of the facts that are in the book. One fact I learned was Japan took food from the poor and gave them to their Army. The food was donated to Japan by America, before the war.

Ned Begay, a six year old kid, who had to leave his Navajo home, in America and join a boarding school, had to learn the English language and the American ways. In the boarding school, he was not allowed to speak his native language and if he did, there were consequences. Japan was one of the most powerful countries, at that time. Soon Japan started attacking America and World War 2 began. Marine recruiters started looking for Navajos to join the Marines. Ned Begay joined the Marines. He was a code talker, who was not allowed to tell anyone, not even his own family. He would send and receive messages in a secret code. The code was extremely difficult to learn and only a Navajo could learn it. For every letter in the English Alphabet, a Navajo word was assigned. After a lot of practice of the code, Ned was shipped to Hawaii, to battle the Japanese. They had to take an exercise on the big island of Hawaii to experience all kinds of terrains. They had to cross a desert, on foot, in two days and everyone had only one bottle of water. By second day, everybody had collapsed, and only the Navajos had water left. The Navajos were nothing but the best. They had to write a letter to the Colonel to get some drinking water in the desert. After a few days, Hawaii was filled with blood, and dead bodies. Read the book, to find out what happens next. I liked the book " Code Talker " because of the facts that are in the book. One fact I learned was Japan took food from the poor and gave them to their Army. The food was donated to Japan by America, before the war.

This is a great book. Not much else to say. 5 stars!! especially if you are into fictional stories based on real historical events!

We read this book aloud while on a driving vacation through Navajo country in New Mexico and Arizona. My children (girl 10, boy 8 and girl 5) were completely enthralled with both the story and the insight into the Navajo people. Although a work of fiction, the book reads very convincingly as a memoir. The author succeeds admirably in relating the cultural challenges faced by patriotic Native Americans serving in the military as well a giving a non-romanticized portrayal of the realities faced by the soldiers who waged battle in the Pacific. We particularly appreciated the lighter moments -- one tale of boot-camp swimming "lessons" had the kids screaming with laughter. A great read pure and simple, but also one with good lessons to be learned.

Bruchac has created a terrific historic novel that has enough action for young male adults and enough history and research to appeal to an adult audience. Bruchac does a wonderful job of giving a sense of the complexities of growing up on a Navajo reservation in the first half of the book. The irony of a nation trying to wipe out the Navajo language but using it as a crucial means of communication during 20th century wars should not be lost on the reader while reading the second half of the book. Bruchac's narrator tells this tale in an even-keeled, even-tempered manner. The reader is allowed to gain his own sense of injustice our nation has inflicted upon its Native American population. Bruchac's description of the progression of America's involvement in World War II's Pacific campaign is well laid-out and dramatically presented. Highly recommended.

Mr. Smith's book is well illustrated and supported by the accompanying CD (images to work with that are in the book). His explanations are clear to the Photoshop user and he does explain some terms, as in methods of cropping and re-sizing an image and which method is suited for which type of image), file formats of images, and other areas like the applications under adjustments that I had not used until I began working with the book.
I have found some techniques that are similar to other authors (Scott Kelby, in particular, whose books I have enjoyed quite a lot), and that was part of my interest in purchasing the book-to broaden my reference library with people aside from Kelby, Deke McClelland, and some folks on-line like Earth-Bound Light and Photography, etc). I recommend purchase. Readable, well cross-referenced, and helps deliver results.

Excellent training material. I would also recomment The Photoshop CS2 Book For Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby. The combination is outstanding.

I was really surprised this was such an excellent book. Usually I just read the chapters I am interested in , but I read this whole book--it was just so instructional and one that I will keep close to the computer for reference book.

I am an amaetuer photographer. This book has helped me fine tune my photos and bring out its full potential. I will gladly recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain more knowledge on photography and perhaps learn a very powerful photo editing tool.

This book has a lot of good information in it, but is not well written. You may be halfway through a paragraph before you get to the topic sentence and figure out what the author is talking about. It often takes a second or third trip through a paragraph to figure out what it's about. The author also is not consistent with his word usage. I've found as many as three or four different words used for the same thing. For instance luminosity and brightness are used interchangeably, sometimes on the same page or even the same paragraph. So, using the book can be frustrating, though the author clearly knows Photoshop and I have learned a lot from the book.
The book does not mention or discuss some of the neatest features of Photoshop CS2 including some of the Automate features such as Merge to HDR (high dynamic range). This feature combines an underexposed and an overexposed picture into one high dynamic range image (bright areas are not washed out and dark areas are not black). This is an amazing capability that is not mentioned.
I would buy this book again, but only after searching diligently for one that covers the same scope or more and is better written. Actually, I'd probably get a book that covers CS3 as well, and hopefully indicates where features are unique to CS3. Or maybe just a CS3 book if you are going to upgrade. I understand the upgrade to CS3 is well worth the price even though it is now $200. Ease of use alone makes CS3 valuable to novices from what I've read.

I have taken alot of notes from this book. I use the tips and have incorportated what Keith Harrell says into my daily work and home life. I think it's a great read for anyone at any stage in their life.

Keith Harrell is AWESOME!! I had the pleasure of meeting him in person about a year ago at a convention that i attended in Nashville, TN. All of his material is incredible and he really helps you to think in a positive manner and to be able to share it with others!!

Are your employees, clients, friends, spouse, children, and colleagues frequently missing your point? The root causing is likely your lack of connecting with them. Keith and Hattie have packed some valuable and practical tips in this fantastic read, grab a copy!

Building on our human desire to connect with others, motivational speaker Keith Harrell uses the acronym, CONNECT, to present a seven-step attitude development process for personal success.

'C'ommit to win; develop a be accountable attitude
'O'pen up to opportunities; use a change embracer attitude
'N'otice what's needed and do what's necessary; have a be aware attitude
'N'avigate by your purpose; utilize a be vision centered attitude
'E'xecute ethically; practice a be performance and integrity driven attitude
'C'hallenge your challenges; have a be responsible attitude
'T'ranscend beyond your best; with a be the difference attitude

Promoting the ideas that 'thoughts matter' and that 'success requires a personal connection', the author says you must first `care' to connect, by developing your ICARE (Intensely, Committed, Attentive, Ready, and Enthusiastic) statements. "When you have a mind-set that says ICARE, over time you will change your beliefs. Your beliefs will change your attitude. Your attitude will help change your feelings. Your feelings will help change your actions. And your actions will help you to connect." A lot of linkages before getting to the actions piece, hence the need for commitment to stay the course.

The book is easy to read and contains inspirational stories about the author and others that help to bring the points to life. Perhaps in recognition of the difficulties with developing a 'just do it' attitude, each of the seven-steps contains numerous other thoughts on attitude for a successful life. The book may be more useful for its provision of winning attitude ideas than for the structured self-help program it promotes.

Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection"

CONNECT is very well written and contains plenty of wisdom necessary to succeed in business as well as life.

Keith Harrell uses CONNECT as an acronym to get his points across.

C - is for commit to win. Unless there is a total commitment, most importantly with yourself, your efforts will fall short.

O - is for open up to opportunities. Too many people have a closed mindset. If you want to succeed, open to opportunities.

N - notice what is needed

N - navigate by your purpose. You need to understand and be guided by your purpose in life.

E - execute ethically

C - challenge your challenges. Don't run from your challenges. Challenge them.

T - transcend beyond your best.

Then he gives us the BE - Attitudes to go with each CONNECT point. Before you DO, you must BE and the BE - Attitudes are a good reminder of what we should be. If we simply try to do, we will not succeed. There needs to be alignment of who we are with what we do. Therefore, the BE - Attitudes.

Harrell not only gives us the CONNECT points and the BE -Attitudes, he goes into great detail explaining the importance of the points and how they effect our performance and success.

The book is filled with interesting stories that bring home the points. At the end of each chapter is a series of exercises designed to implement the theory of the book.

If you truly want to succeed in business and in life, you must connect with others. No one is an island. Keith Harrell does a great job of giving you the tools to connect. You still need to do the work yourself.

Normally I try to avoid buying books for my 2yr old son that have very little story... but since we're trying to teach him the days of the week, I figured an approach involving a naughty cat couldn't hurt.

This is a great book for storytime -- the illustrations and delay in seeing the cat sneak off somewhere and then seeing the mess it makes, works a treat. With a little extra commentary as I tell the story (a big 'ol cat screech when the curtains come crashing down, for instance), I can have my son in fits of giggles. As a result, he asks for this book every night at bed.

This book was a wonderful way to help my kindergarten class learn the order of the days of the week. We enjoyed finding out what kind of trouble Cookie got into on a certain day. My class asks me to go back and read the story again when we have free time. Anyone who orders this book is getting their money's worth, it is not a waste.

My two daughters have loved this story ever since they were old enough to tell me so. Preschool and Kindergarten love when I read this story to their class. It is simple, sweet and teaches the days of the week.

We've read this so many times together that my 2 year old daughter 'reads' herself to sleep every night with this book. The illustrations are lovely and Cookie is totally adorable.

Cookie's Week is an all time favorite! Every year, every kid loves Cookie's Week. The kids love to ego read with me . . . "it went everywhere". It's a great gift for kids!

A brillient and stunning consideration of how advertising affects society. Rather than the more popular route of blaming problems of the modern world on entertainment media, Kilbourne convincingly argues that it is, indeed, the unnoticed and unceasing stream of advertisments which is harmful. Required reading for anyone who ponders modern sociology.

This book was OUTSTANDING. The only thing that pains me about it is that I bought it out of bargain bin. I would have gladly paid full price.
I thought I knew quite a bit about the insidiousness of advertising but this book brought new information on that subject. It is has some very enlightening points on the nature of addiction.
Buy it for your favorite teenage grrrrrrrrrrrrl.

This book not only changed my attitude towards advertising and commercialism, but changed the way I see myself and the world around me. I'm shocked that the book is no longer in print, although after reading it I get the impression Jean Kilbourne would not be entirely surprised. How can you survive without supporting commercialism? I thought at times she overstated her point and could have been more concise, but on the whole her style is entertaining and easy to follow. The adverts on most of the pages are also very interesting - although you feel a bit guilty about being entertained by them! This book has to get back into print - maybe it needs some more advertising?!

This book is a must read for anyone, especially women. I always thought of myself as someone who was not affected by advertisements, but this book makes it painfully clear how not one is unaffected by ads, regardless of what types of good you purchase. It correlates the selling of ideas and attitudes through advertisements with degenerating relationships between males and females, people of different social classes and ethnicities, even different ages. Advertisements sell ideas about self-concept, american culture, and values right along with their products. I found the idea that advertisers create a culture, and use the idea of that culture to sell us not only products, but lifestyles, and attitudes towards other people, our society, and ourselves fascinating and horrifying. This book will make you not only a more aware consumer, but also a more aware citizen. It was fascinating, clear, and well-researched.

This powerful and vital book is out of print - but only under this title. "Deadly Persuasion" was released in November 2000 under the new title "Can't Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel". Under that title, the book has never gone out of print, so it is easy to acquire. And you definitely should acquire it!