Plans Books

I became acquainted with Richard Hittleman through his PBS program, "Yoga for Health." As a young adult, I used to watch this show on a regular basis. Imagine how pleased I was to find a book based on the same type of exercises which were on this particular program.
This is the third time I have purchased this book. The first copy fell apart after many years of use. The second was a gift to a friend and this last one is for my husband and myself.
As you can see I am very partial to this book. I like the fact that there is the 28 day plan which you can do at your own pace and a schedule you can follow after you have completed this plan, which incorporates all the exercises you have previously learned. I have seen other yoga books, but this is my favorite because it stresses the importance of yoga being "concerned with the health and beauty of the organism as a unified whole," rather than just self-improvement for the body.

I bought this book years ago and I loved it then! I wanted to buy one for a friend who wanted to renew her excerise habits. I highly recommend this book. It takes you step by step for 28 days. It's a good way to begin.

This is my favorite book for Hatha Yoga. It's easily explained and the pictures are wonderful. I got this one to give to a friend for her birthday. She fell in love with it, too.

I first used a copy of this book way back when Richard Hittleman had a PBS program on yoga. I've returned to this book on and off ever since.

The yoga practice he teaches here is:

1) easy to do for anyone, regardless of fitness level or age.
2) presented in simple, daily, DO-able sequences.
3) nicely illustrated with photographs that show exactly how to do the postures.
4) supplemented with daily "yogic wisdom" that teaches what yoga practice can do for you.
5) finished with practice routines that you can use, well, forever.

In short, this is one of the best beginner yoga books out there. One that you'll use for a lifetime.

This is an excellent beginner's introduction to yoga. I hadn't practiced yoga for over 20 years and was very out of shape, but I was able to pick it up again fairly rapidly and make quick progress. I highly recommend this book regardless of your current fitness level.

If there is ever one word to describe this book, its powerful. What a concept...that suffering is never meaningless, but a vehicle of purposeful intent and that we, as eternal souls, planned to use certain challenges to foster growth not only for our own souls but for the sake of our soul group and the universe at large. Putting it into a context like this, suffering has a whole different meaning.

According to the book, those around us also plan our lives intertwined with ours and all decisions are made out of love, no exception. I now think about my own challenges and those who have played a key role in my own personal growth and look upon them with gratitude and not judgment, including the "villains" in my story, because they fostered the most growth out of me. I am only now beginning to see the perfection of life. Aside from clarity, this book will bring healing and infinite comfort to those going through extreme suffering in their lives by learning there are no victims in this world.

Part of me picked up this book to find comfort for my own inner wounds. I cried when I read the words "Only the courageous plan fear" for I knew, that was what I intended to heal and have been working on it for years, having them dissipate one by one.

It has been a long time since I closed a book and felt warm, comforted and knowledgeable. The author takes you by the hand and guides you through this information with compassion, grace and great wisdom. I just cannot fully express how wonderful this book is. It is absolute perfection and if I could, I'd give it more stars. If there is ever a book I'd recommend, it would be this one!

I absolutely love this book! I knew that we had pre-planned our lives before reading it, but it explains it so well with people's stories to show you examples. I really hope I can get my friend to read it as I think it will help her to understand the reasons for some of her challenges in her childhood and now. EXCELLENT BOOK!

Wonderful reference book for anyone researching reincarnation. Answers many question as well as raising them.

Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth?Best book I have ever read on the subject of Pre Birth Planning. So well written and easy to relate to. It has brought great healing to my life and I continue to explore all possibilities. It has certainly given me a better understanding to life and knowing that everyone is on a journey to better their soul. A must read for anyone on a spiritual path to healing.

Everything always makes sense when you can see the big picture. This book provides a glimpse into why events we perceive as "bad" happen, through a varied collection of individual cases.

Our lives in this "reality" are just learning experiences, to expand our awareness of ourselves, we agreed to before we arrived on the planet.

This is not a series with stand alone books, you have to start in the beginning and progress. This book just jumps in and starts where Carpe Diem left off. We're at the start of the war in earnest between the Clan Korval and previously unknown enemies. Things start to tie together and finally Val and Miri get back into the thick of the Liaden worlds. I like this book, but it's definitely a bridge between Partners in Necessity and I Dare. I love this series, it has everything you could want from a space opera and more. Some once described it as Jane Austen in space, but I find it more deadly than that - more like Renaissance Italy in space, lots of machinations and maneuverings and with some love and laughter to leaven the plot. Highly recommended series. A keeper and frequent reread.

This is the fourth volume (out of five -- I think) in a first-rate space opera story arc, set in the Liaden Universe, that began with Conflict of Honors. It's all about Clan Korval, one of the wealthiest and most powerful trade families around, and the people in it, and their growing struggle with the Liaden Department of Interior (which has plans for running things their own narrow-minded way), and with the Juntavas (a sort of galactic Mafia), and their relations and alliances with various Terran groups and individuals. Key to the multiple plots are Val Con yos-Phelium -- who becomes a Scout and then a spy, and then goes determinedly on the lam -- and his lady-love, Miri Robertson, a talented ex-mercenary who thought she was Terran (and still mostly thinks that way) but who has discovered she's actually a lost member of Clan Erob, a smaller Liad family that is closely allied with Korval. Val Con and Miri, now lifemates, have gone to Erob to get her accepted back into the family, and things are moving along well. But what they don't know is that the attempts by Clan Korval, back home, to locate Val Con (who is supposed to take over the family's leadership, whether he wants to or not), have led to an unhealthy interest in Korval by the Department of Interior. "This means war," as they say. The current First Speaker, Nova yos'Galan, invokes "Plan B," which can be summed up in two words: "Everybody scatter!" The family's flagship is even outfitted as a battleship -- and a very powerful one, too. And then all hell suddenly breaks loose, with an attack on Erob's world by the dreaded Xytrang (a combination of Huns and Mongols, with a dash of Klingon), and Miri is suddenly pushed to the forefront, her mercenary experience in great demand. But things get even weirder when Val Con is able to recruit an Xytrang Scout-equivalent to fight on his side. There are loads of interwoven subplots here, plus interestingly developed personal relationships, and lots of classic military ground action. Don't even think about trying to read this volume first, because you will have no idea of what's going on; start at the beginning of the arc -- but keep all the volumes handy because you won't want to wait to start the next volume!

Great read. So much detail in this book; I read it over again after I finished reading it the first time and was just as entertained. I hope the saga continues! More please...

plan B opens with Miri and Val Con in space and headed to the planet Lytaxin. They've put the word out to Val Con's clan to rendezvous there. There is also an invading force of alien warriors that is converging right along with them. plan B is full of widescale destruction, ironic humor and justified paranoia. It will have you ride a wave of human emotions as you are caught up in the story.

I did not know this was book six of the Liaden universe. But if you haven't read the other books, like myself, you won't have too much trouble following the events of plan B, I may have missed some subtly points by not having a background to pull from. But I still found it a very entertaining read and could not put it down.

"A changing array of safeplaces shall be maintained at all times, in the event of immediate, catastrophic threat to the Clan. There is no shame in strategic retreat. Even Jela sometimes ran from his enemies, the better to defeat them, tomorrow.
"Keep the children safe. Honor without love is stupidity."
- This by the hand of Cantra yos'Phelium, Captain and Delm, in the Third Year after Planetfall

This book comes closest to suffering from "middle book" syndrome of all the Liaden books, but only because it's obviously in the middle of a continuing story. Plenty of interesting things occur in this volume, but their origins lie in AGENT OF CHANGE (which introduced Miri and Val Con to each other), a story which was continued in CARPE DIEM. The cliffhanger ending of PLAN B itself leads to I DARE, the next book, so I recommend having that handy before tackling this volume.

If the gentle reader insists on beginning with PLAN B in this series, don't claim that I didn't warn you against such an ill-advised idea.

Val Con yos'Phelium, sometime First-In Scout and ex-Agent of Change, is still on the run with his new lifemate, ex-mercenary Miri Robertson, from Liad's so-called "Department of the Interior", a renegade government organization dedicated to giving Liad its "true place" in the galaxy even if Liad's own culture and people must be sacrificed to that aim. As heirs to Korval's ancient contract to protect the people of Liad, Val Con and his cousins can't let the Department win, even if their own lives weren't at risk as a family heavily intermingled with Terrans.

In this round of their ongoing battles, however, the Department is a relatively minor factor.

As arranged at the end of CARPE DIEM, the cousins are about to rendezvous on Lytaxin, homeworld of Miri Robertson's distant Liaden kinfolk - also, ironically, ancient allies of Clan Korval. (*Every* senior member of Val Con's family thinks it's ironic that he chose his lifemate from the most suitable family possible, and that if he'd *known* she was suitable he'd have taken forever to look in her direction.) Unfortunately, Lytaxin - having just undergone a massive rebellion - is now being invaded by the Yxtrang 14th Conquest Corps, who successfully executed their standard opening ploy of destroying the planetary communication net.

And in accordance with the principle that no good deed goes unpunished, the Yxtrang Explorer whom Val Con once captured and trussed up like a turkey is not only attached to the Corps but has just been captured by Lytaxin's defenders. And guess which Liaden on the planet is the *only* person fluent in Yxtrang?

Various nice touches of characterization and development of the cultures involved, including our first good look at the Yxtrang as well as Miri's first adjustments to interacting with Liaden culture as a Liaden rather than a Terran. We also get a more detailed look at Miri's old mercenary unit (who quite properly ask why Miri and Val Con didn't just tag along with them in the first place, if they were going to end up on Lytaxin anyhow).

Ah...Sluggy Freelance. One of my many, many, MANY addictions. For those who don't spend at least part of every day checking out the latest adventures, SLUGGY FREELANCE: IS IT NOT NIFTY? is the essential reading. Our heroes are Torg (blond, dumb, web-site designer) and Riff (blond, ponytail, trenchcoat, builds stuff). Our heroines are Zoe (brunette neighbor of Torg and Riff) and Gwynn (Zoe's best friend, wears huge eyeglasses). Then boy (Torg) buys cute fuzzy-wuzzy bunny (Bun-Bun)...things get interesting...be prepared to laugh, giggle and wanted to post photocopies of strips in your cubicle.

Bun-Bun! Read Sluggy! Even just for Bun-Bun -- he's the best! Sluggy is entertaining -- the plots are really in-depth and easy to get into, and ... spoofs! Spoofs are the best. XD

Ahhh, Sluggy!...This is the first book in the Sluggy universe, where demons are summoned for beer, a mini-lop carrys a switchblade and a glock and your neighbours travel to other dimensions to bring aliens back with them, and well, let me check my notes . . .
The writing is sharp, funny, clever, funny, and lots of other words for funny. Sluggy Freelance is compelling, with the neverending storyline that makes you rave more. As Torg and Riff battle and befriend aliens, and try to fight off their pet bunny you become so much a pert of it that you can't let go... This book is bound for a title as not just a comic classic, but a classic comedy/tragedy/soap opera/addictive drug.

Ah...Sluggy Freelance. One of my many, many, MANY addictions. For those who don't spend at least part of every day checking out the latest adventures, SLUGGY FREELANCE: IS IT NOT NIFTY? is the essential reading. Our heroes are Torg (blond, dumb, web-site designer) and Riff (blond, ponytail, trenchcoat, builds stuff). Our heroines are Zoe (brunette neighbor of Torg and Riff) and Gwynn (Zoe's best friend, wears huge eyeglasses). Then boy (Torg) buys cute fuzzy-wuzzy bunny (Bun-Bun)...things get interesting...be prepared to laugh, giggle and wanted to post photocopies of strips in your cubicle.

The first-ever Sluggy book! Introducing our cast of characters: Riff: an inventor and freelance bum who summons Satan on the Internet. Torg: a mild-mannered web designer. Bun-bun: Torg's pet rabbit, a cute talking mini-lop with a dark past. Zoe: innocent college student, neighbor, and straight-woman. Kiki: the friendly ferret who says, "Don't plan Torg's death! Stay good, Sam!" Including parodies of Star Trek, X-files, and a bonus story not found on the Internet: A Day in the Park with Bun-bun and Teddy Weddy.

I found this book to be a fascinating, but very practical study of nutrition. It was presented in a way that is easily understood. It lays out a plan that the average person can apply to their daily life to change over to a healthy life style. I would say that reading this book was a life-changing event for me----I have also shared this book with my family and loved ones.

I looked into buying some books to discuss the Mediterranean/Crete/Omega diet. I did like this book the best compared to the others I had bought (Mediterranean Prescription, and The Anti-inflammation Diet and Recipe Book). This gave a worded description of how the author ate growing up and gave a concise way to think about what you are eating - think fresh and simple.
Like most "diet" books there are sections on why this works scientifically and some meal plans for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is helpful but I did skim the first few chapters. There is also a "food pyramid" and many helpful tables as to what you should try to fit into your diet.
I have been following the advice of this book (adapting the meal plans to what is doable long term for my spouse and I) and I can honestly say that I feel good, calm, and not hungry. Plus I love it that drinking a glass of wine with dinner is acceptable!
For people who are looking for a face lift on your diet, I do recommend this book.

Nothing contained in the book that hasn't already been printed about food and etc. They advocate Canola Oil over Olive and that is the first I ever read that. Other than that I wouldn't recommend to purchase it.

I have Lupus and was looking for a cleaner, something different daily eat book.

I was surprised that this book was copyrighted in 1998. It seems that we have just now caught up with what she knew back then about essential fatty acids. That part of the book is very good and I am glad that we have finally caught up with her on this.

I haven't tried any of her recipes but I it seems that many of the recipes do not follow her traditional Greek way of cooking. I mean canola oil, for instance, certainly is not a part of traditional cooking anywhere. It is a relatively modern phenomena. She also uses white sugar and white flour in some of her recipes. Come on! These things were not part of the traditional Greek diet. And, really, do you think they used low-fat dairy products. Give us a break!

Great recipes, great information. Two RN's and my cardiologist all give this book a really big thumbs up! Plus, and this is a seriously big plus, you never feel like you're dieting.

I have 3 of her books and I found this the most useful. It was geared more towards action, and not as much on a philosophical level. Very helpful.
I am involved in the coaching program through her institute and it has had a dramatic change on my life.

This small book packs a punch, if you let it. If you spend just a few minutes applying the concepts to your own life and your own experience, Debbie Ford's words could possibly change your experience of life. This is not one of those "if you can imagine it, it will happen" kinds of books. In fact, she stresses that fantasizing will not get us the life we want. Instead, she focuses on methods for getting closer to your own integrity and your own best self. I'd describe the book as practical, engaging, and highly useful.

This book has given me the inspiration to re-create my life; re-create myself. For me, I'm not even thinking of it as the best 'year' of my life... I'm looking at it as the best LIFE I could possibly create. So far, I've gotten off of depression meds, stopped smoking, joined weight watchers, stopped existing off of soda, and began preperations for nursing school entrance. The sky's the limit, and I don't plan on stopping the transformation anytime soon. Every time I pick up this book, I feel inspired for the day. I read a page from it every day before I even get out of bed, and it sets the tone for my day. If you're looking to start over or re-create yourself, or just to start living the life that you KNOW you should be living... this book is a must have. I can't say enough good things about it.

This is an amazing book. I bought her kit and also ordered online course too.
If you follow this instruction, I am so sure that you can create much much better life!!

it reminded me of my dreams...to not to give up...to do what you can, to fully do your best, and that is if you really want to achieve something you have to make it happen. It made me realize that dreams that the you didn't achieve are the ones you didn't go after....

I thought this book offered some different ways in the effort to learn more about myself. The exercises are thought provoking and easy to do and provide a good insight into my own thoughts, habits and self. I don't think it is ground breaking or the answer to the million dollar question "Who am I?" but it does offer exercises to learn more about self and I think it is an excellent read and book.

Wishcraft is divided into 2 parts: the wishing part and the 'crafting' part. The premise of the book is that you cannot get what you want unless you have done the wishing you need. So the first part of the book takes you through a series of exercises designed to get you to dream your wildest dreams about your life and what it could be. It is both powerful and freeing to do this. Barbara Sher also gives you ways to distinguish between 'real' dreams (the ones you really truly want) and fantasies (things you just think you want).

Once you have some clear ideas about what your dreams are, the second part of the book gives you great approaches to achieving them. One of the most fantastic aspects of this section is the focus on the problems list. barbara says that your list of problems are like gold. in the beginning i did not realize what she meant but once you have clearly articulated what problems you have then you can start attacking them one at a time. So the problems lead you to the dream.

Don't get me wrong, this book will require you to work hard but the exercises are great and her writing is fantastic. Having a dream (or 20 perhaps) is something I had forgotten about as I make my way through a busy and complex life. Now I feel like I am taking control of where I am going with the aid of her wisdom and direction.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to make life changes, career shifts, or just wants more from their lives.

This was Barbara Sher's first book, but until now I'd only read (and loved) her follow-up books. I've read alot of other books on positive affirmations and projecting to the Universe what you want and was stunned to see that this "oldie, but goody" was really one of the most simple and straight-forward approaches to that concept.

Even if you've read lots of other self-help books, this classic is still one everyone should read.

I got the 1979 copy of this book about 4 years ago on a recommendation from a therapist who saw that I was drifting along with no real goals. I had tried college twice before (by this time I was in my late 30's) and each time quit because I didn't know what I wanted to do or to be. The "college career center" was no help whatsoever. The test I took there had me taking courses for industrial engineering, which I had zero interest in, but I figured maybe the test saw some hidden talent that I didn't know I had. Wrong. I started reading this book and doing the exercises and slowly discovered what it was that I wanted to be....an interior designer! I would have never thought of it in a million years without this book changing my way of thinking. I felt like it was a huge revelation! It was a relief to finally know, at the age of 38, what it was that I wanted to do! I started college again and had to quit after a year and a half due to a pay cut at my job. The old me, the pre-Wishcraft-reading me, would have just given up right then. Actually, I DID freak out for about a week. But the new me sat down and brainstormed like in the book and thought long and hard about what needed to be done to be able to stay in school and follow my dream. I'm happy to say that I only took a year off of school and am actually now in a better school. I've also been so inspired by the other reviews for this book. I have recommended this book to friends and will always keep my copy no matter where I go in life.

Growing up Asian without knowing I was an ADD scanner, I really struggled with "why am I so different?!" Reading Wishcraft in college was my first and best ray of hope towards creating a life I love, finding ways to learn and live that really work for me, and also coming to appreciate all of who I am.

In 8th grade, I thought that I had No Talent whatsoever and had no idea "what to do with my life", now I'm amazed at all the talents that keep showing up now that I know how to find what works for me!

I currently love teaching voice lessons 5 days a week, performing with my Global Jazz band, and I'm creating my first full 2-hour musical theater production with a Persian Iranian jazz singer friend of mine called "Memories & Media Myths of Iran & North Korea" -- for which we received a Minnesota State Arts Board / National Endowment for the Arts grant!

THANK YOU BARBARA!

Richard S. Levick and Larry Smith have delivered the definitive book, at least for now, on crisis communications and litigation PR. (Brief disclosure: I have met and chatted with both of them, but this review is, I hope, unaffected by any personal contacts.)

Levick and Smith don't hold back in describing some disastrous public relations gaffes by major companies, and they also give credit to corporations that understood how important the "court of public opinion" can be. These authors also know how to write: the book is free from marketing and PR jargon, and is easy and even fun to read. As a media relations professional and former reporter and editor, I have put this book on my desk next to my computer.

The authors also recognize the importance of blogs - both as tools that a company or law firm's opponents can use and as tools that are well suited to defense as well.

The recommended use of "message points," though hardly original with Levick and Smith, reaches a high plateau here. Their recommendations for pharmaceutical companies, antitrust defendants, even asbestos makers, are not merely plausible but convincing.

Sometimes a firm needs to stand tough and fight the battle in the media. Sometimes it needs to stand down. Levick and Smith help explain the difference.

This would be a five-star review except that the authors' constant use of brief stories -- in a different and jarring typeface -- as sidebars in the text is off-putting and even a bit amateurish. Sometimes, it's even hard to follow. The fact that they must put "continued" lines into their book ("See page 147") should have been a tip-off that the typography here is not ideal.

Still, this is a terrific book.

Don't buy this book for your PR department. Buy it for your attorneys.

Levick bridges the gap between the need for an organization to speak publicly during a crisis and its legal department's desire to keep the corporate yap locked tight. An attorney himself, Levick understands perception trumps fact, and that at crisis time the real battle won't happen in a court of law; it's already happening in the court of public opinion.

Filled with insights and strategies for short-circuiting a media assault from newspapers still in print to online bloggers, "Stop the Presses" is a must-read for those who think they know crisis communications.

Levick also explains the critical need for advance preparation, on-going media awareness and outside legal and communications counsel in a crisis, three steps lacking in too many organizations.

A clear winner.

Dennis Dean
The Dean Group

It's rare that a book can serve as an "insurance policy," but Stop The Presses comes as close as any I have read. Nobody relishes the idea of a crisis situation befalling them or their business--but crises do strike--and by definition, they are unexpected. If a company's management has read, or even browsed those neat little gray "So Don't Forget" boxes at the end of each chapter of Stop The Presses, it will have taken the first step on the road to preparedness.

Ricard Levick and Larry Smith make this sometimes frightening topic eminently readable, and fill the pages with useful, do's, don't and "don't forgets." Their experience is evident all through the book. No book is a substitute for the right advisers and advice, but this one covers many of the crises and legal/regulatory troubles with just enough explanation to start readers on the path to the right kind of actions.

As I stated at the start: it isn't quite an insurance policy, but for $30, it might just save your reputation or your company. And that's probably the best $30 you could spend. Buy it; read it; and hope you never need it. You'll sleep better at night.

After having devoured this book, I can highly recommend reading it.

It is easy to read and offers lots of very practical advice on how to master or even prevent crisis. Richard and Larry have apparently broad experience in helping troubled companies in times of difficulties; and they share their knowledge with a good portion of humor, many real world references and examples, and very helpful appendixes.

Their emphasis on "prevention" made it clear to me how important it is for nearly every company's "survival" to anticipate the potential for crisis and to set up early the required structures. I liked in particular the reminder - or wake up call for many of us - on how important it is to become part of the blog community.

This book should be bed side lecture for everybody who manages communication on behalf of any size and type of company, in particular outside counsel, members of legal and PR departments. It is a great 1x1 on crisis management but also offers lots of depth.

I immediately thought of British Airways' management who should have read this book before opening Heathrow's new terminal and entering into disaster. They would most probably be better off today!

Stop the Presses (2nd Ed.) is a reference book, but it can only be considered a primer for anyone needing to respond to crisis and litigation. I especially like appendix. Most readers will find them helpful.

All of us have a picture of what we hope our future retirement (i.e. destination) will look like. In "On Golden Pond...or up a creek?", the author, in a humorous, non-judgmental or condescending tone, shows us not only how to take that picture out of our mind, and transfer onto paper, but also helps us design a "roadmap" to getting there. A roadmap that is as individualized as we are, as each is based on our unique past experience, current situation and responsibilities, and our future hopes and dreams. Should we choose to follow the roadmap we develop based on the principles outlined in this book, our hopes and dreams become the journey. We can be confident about reaching our destination, because we know exactly where we're headed, how we'll get there, and when we'll arrive. Thank you Bill, for unselfishly giving of your time in writing this book; hopefully "Golden Pond" will be very crowded!

Kudos to Bill Billimoria for this very readable and entertaining primer on the blocking and tackling fundamentals of retirement planning. This deceptively simple text should be required reading for every early career person trying to decide about signing up for their employer's 401(k) or an entrepreneur vaguely considering creating an IRA. The concepts outlined in the book should motivate them to action. It's never too soon to start planning for retirement. Once the habit is formed it will stand you in good stead all your life. The alternative to taking Bill's advice is to marry rich.....something most of us have failed to do!
Alice Magos, MSA, CFP, CFE

Financial Planning books are usually eyes glazed over boring, but On Golden Pond or Up The Creek kept my interest the whole time. I found all of the concepts easy to understand and, more importantly, easy to apply to my life. What's best is that it's humorous. I don't know how you turn a book about things financial into a page turner, but Bill pulled it off. Thanks Bill...finally a book about financial planning I can use.

This book is something to provide to younger people in our society who are entering the workforce or a career. Many of them have absolutely no idea about the dynamics of money as a means of achieving wealth to lead an independent life upon retirement. Retirement itself is a foreign concept to many of these younger people who are more intent on consuming than investing. But what is important is that they have the element of time to allow their investment to grow if only they could see that benefit and take advantage of it. This book does exactly that. For those of us who have recognized the principles of time and compounding of interest, dividents, and capital gains in our own investments strategy, there is nothing here that is either revolutionary or adds to the already existing literature on that topic. In one chapter, the author discusses in general terms the impact of estate planning, but there are no details or real explanations about the intricacies of it. There is no discussion of gifting or renunciation of bequests as a means of passing wealth irrespective of ordinary testamentary devices such as outright bequests or through trusts. While I am not suggesting that the author needs to provide legal advice, I would have appreciated seeing a discussion of some other estate planning concepts as those just mentioned. This would have provided some ideas. Instead, he advises people to seek legal counsel after a brief discussion of the complexity of estate planning. There are other books out there providing more detailed information about the concepts of estate planning for retirees. Also there are no details on how to take minimum distributions from tax deferred investments, whether to take early Social Security retirement benefits, advantages or disadvantages in converting from tax deferred IRAs to Roth IRAs, and types of long-term care insurance policies and advantages on how they can be structured. These details can be found in other books but are not included here. Since there is no index to this short volume, it can be said that its chief advantage is really that of a primer rather than an exhaustive discussion. Perhaps it is most useful as a springboard for further reading, especially for younger people. Most of us saving for retirement have already mastered the lessons set forth in this book. It is time to go on. Let me suggest Evensky and Katz's Retirement Income Redesigned and Slott's Your Complete Retirement Planning Road Map. While neither of these books deals with all aspects of retirement, they do provide an excellent and detailed discussion of dealing with retirement plans already in effect.

I do not often read books on financial planning, and this one quickly persuaded me of my folly.

The witty title tells you that this is not going to be a standard account of where and when to park your money and other assets. This book is clearly the work of a master of the art and science of sound investing.

He begins with the "Eight Great Barriers" that will prevent you from reaching a comfortable retirement:
1. Lack of a plan
2. Ignorance
3. Too much debt
4. Bad investments
5. Lack of protection
6. Inflation
7. Income taxes
8. Procrastination

He explains each in detail, before going on to draw up a precise road map to help you move toward a comfortable retirement.

Bill writes with humor and clarity, and the book is beautifully produced. It is an easy but highly educational read. I am in no doubt that I shall be returning to it again and again.

Very highly recommended.



Richard G. Petty, MD, author of Healing, Meaning and Purpose: The Magical Power of the Emerging Laws of Life

Not sure which diet to try? Dr. Perrone gives you ten options.

Arguably, no kind of dieting is easy, so the ten options allows you to determine the lesser evil, from the one-week crash plan to "unlimited protein and vegetable" plan. Perrone briefly explains each dieting strategy, along with meal schedules and approximately how much body fat you'll lose a week.

With its straightforward (and sometimes repetitive) instruction, Hollywood's Healthiest Diets immediately gets into the game. Just answer a short questionnaire to determine which diet is more applicable to your body type and lifestyle, and you're on your way.

My only beef? The language isn't very "Hollywood," and can get boring. But then that's just me.

I believe this diet is a wonderful and healthy approach to losing weight, it is not to easy but the results in the end could just make your day, I lost 8 pounds in one week with the Protein Plus One Plan. I love it, I recommend it to all of my friends.

This book has every diet you could ever think of in it and it helps you pick the one that would work best for you. I learned a lot from this book and lost some weight without putting it back on.

I have read this book from front to back and have selected the perfect diet for me from the diet questions. I have lost 15lbs in two months eating the foods that I love from the protein, carb, fat and free foods lists. I followed the instructions and have not been hungry. Other than planning to cook a turkey breast on the weekend for the week and for shopping for my foods that I will eat that week, this diet is a snap! I feel healthy. I feel very good. My muscle strength is returning and my fat is melting way. I would reconmend to the buyer of this book to get the free Lean Body Mass Calculator from (Diet Hacker). By weighting yourself once a month, doing the measurements that are required by the Lean Body Mass Calculator, you will get a fairly accurate Percent Body Fat measurement. With this number, the rest of the calculations in the book for your specific diet will give to you the exact information that you will need to create your daily meals. I would also advise that the buyer take a good multi-vitamin & mineral supplement, so you will be sure your body is getting the complete nutrition it needs everyday.

Here's to a slimmer me! Yum!!

Beware! This book is not for helping you change your habits over the long-term, but it interesting because it gives you a range of options should you need to lose weight quickly. And I MEAN WEIGHT, not NECESSARILY FAT. In fact, you will probably just lose a lot of water and the glycogen stored in your muscles, instead of actual FAT. It is pretty much physically impossible to lose 5 pounds a week unless you are morbidly obese and totally starving, which is not healthy, nor is it realistic over the long term. But "Dr." -- and that's Ph.D., not M.D.--Perrone gets 2 stars from me for the effort!