Associations Books

Often in business, we spend so much time and effort on making our business bigger, adding new products, and focusing on stock market prices that we forget to ask ourselves if this growth is actually helping our business or if it is slowly draining our resources until we are no longer productive.

Bigger Isn't Always Better examines this issue and suggests that growth is not necessarily about getting bigger. Bigness is not sustainable. Instead, the author suggests that business look at growth as moving forward and continuously progressing. This kind of growth is purposeful, thoughtfully planned with the intention of bettering the business' products and customer services.

There are quite a few gems in this book. I found the descriptions of the 21 mind bugs particularly useful. Mind bugs are common ways that we think and things that we tell ourselves that distort reality and act as hurdles to healthy growth. I also thought that the section "Are You a Fixer or a Grower?" was quite enlightening. This section analyses what drives each of these personality types and how they correspond with very different business strategies.

Robert M. Tomasko's BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER: THE NEW MINDSET FOR BUSINESS GROWTH draws some important distinctions between growth and expansion. While increased size is desirable, too often companies grow too quickly and many may ultimately see their demise in their very growth-oriented goals. Real growth lines in progress and knowing how to link success to strategic plans and logical organizational changes - the types of changes BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER covers in chapters which probe growth cycles, judgement calls, and knowing how to access opportunity for its real-world applications.

What we have in this volume is a brilliant explanation of what "real business growth" is, and, how to achieve and then sustain it. Tomasko suggests seven characteristics which "growers" share. They are guided and informed by a mindset which recognizes that real growth "is about reaching full potential, not maximum size. It means progress, not excess; it is fueled by imagination, not expansion." He devotes a separate chapter to each of the seven common characteristics. In Part 1, he describes what growth is and isn't, then in Part 2, he explains what growers do. They know what they need to know and where to locate it. They know what they want to achieve and tell the truth when pursuing it. They initiate creative attention to generate and sustain forward movement, meanwhile winning hearts and minds of others involved. They master what Tomasko characterizes as "momentum with bounce." They know when to let go, agreeing with Jason Jennings that "if it's DOA, bury it." And they "share the wealth" when collaborative effort achieves the given objectives.

The more "growers" there are within a given enterprise, the more likely that it will achieve "real business growth." Hence the importance of recognizing and supporting them, of course, but also doing so with regard to prospective "growers" as well. Every effort should be made to accelerate their development. When paraphrasing one of the exemplary growers, psychologist Martin Seligman, Tomasko observes that "business is not just about fixing what is broken. It is about taking what is best in an enterprise and nurturing its further development. Leading this kind of growth requires a very different mentality from that needed to manage ongoing activities. The best growth champions are not the people who are in charge of today's successful organizations. What makes best sense for sustaining the status quo is often irrelevant or counterproductive for surpassing it." When Reginald Jones selected his successor as GE's next CEO, he urged Jack Welch to "Blow it up!"

While re-reading this book, as is my custom, I highlighted key passages. In this instance more than 100 which caught my eye. Here are two representative excerpts.

When knowing where to look for growth opportunities: "Blinders from existing business models or getting caught up in the hot concept (convergence, deregulation, Internet-means-that-everything-is-different, and so on) will also limit our ability to see the market clearly. When we see something new, we seldom stop to appreciate it for what it is. Instead, evolution seems to have trained us -- hard-wired our brains -- to slot things into categories or explanations that are derived from our past experiences. In pigeonholing things this way, wee run the risk of filtering out what it is that makes the novel news." (page 119)

However, "As Picasso once noted: `Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction.' The trick is to plan the movement from old to new in a way that does not lead to mindless destruction and chaos. This means starting out with the grower's clear idea of somewhere better to end up, and knowing what is wanted with as much clarity as what is not wanted. That's how real growth happens. This kind of growth, of course, has little to do with getting better or prevailing over others." (page 238)

In this book, Tomasko shares brilliant insights in combination with practical recommendations which can help his reader to develop and then sustain a new mindset, "an internal logic system, the model that you carry around in your head." With meticulous care, Tomasko explains how and why a mindset gives birth to our beliefs and assumptions, how it determines what facts we notice and what we make of them. "And even more important, it determines what [we] do as a result." I continue to be amazed by those decision-makers whose mindset causes them to follow the same course of action which had repeatedly failed before... and then expect different results. That doesn't make any sense, does it?

I bought this book years ago in my salad days, and it has proven to be correct on virtually point it makes. It is especially helpful for those just starting out in the business world or for any career in which you are involved or competing with other people.

#8 of the 32 rules is my very favorite: "Search for the seeds of victory in every disaster -- and the seeds of disaster in every victory." Disaster can create positive change; conversely, you are at your most susceptible to defeat right after a major victory, because that's when you can get careless.

Read this book, memorize it, and take it to heart.

Every morning before I go to work I read one of the 32 Ground Rules in the book. They are so short that it only take a couple of minutes to go through it. But there are so much of worth considering so you are strengthen for hole day long.

'Bravely, Bravely in Business,' while published in 1972, still seems to hold good advice for today's business environment. This is an excellent book, especially for engineering types trying to make it in the business world -- there are 32 chapters, each of about four pages, with words to the wize, a cartoon page, and a few pages of explanation. Easily understood, short paragraphs, good logic.

A couple of examples of words to the wise: #2 Never assume that the way things are today is the way they will be tomorrow -- or even after lunch [advice on change]. #12 Unsolvable problems don't disrupt the routine; they are the routine.

This is not 'how to succeed in business without trying.' This little book gives thought to some tough issues: # 23 Keep every promise you have made -- or that others think you have made.

But, Bravely, Bravely keeps things in perspective: #25 Play the business game for all you are worth -- but not as if your life depended on it.

The author points out some very important aspects of learning through the
prism of background knowledge. There is a general correlation between
academic background knowledge and generalized academic performance.
In addition, the book covers the transitory steps aimed at harnessing
working memory into permanent memory. There is a section which shows how
surface knowledge enhances background knowledge. Text density is another
indicator of learning. Texts which contain many new words not widely
interspersed will have the lowest new vocabulary retention. As newer words
are more widely dispersed, readers have up to a 30% retention from a
mere retention in single digits. Poverty is another correlator to overall
academic performance according to the author. The book presents a very
valuable common Greek/Latin root derivative section. For instance,
Greek words enter into the English language , thusly.
- ast or star means astronomy
- cycle or circle means cycle
- gram finds usage in the word telegraph or autograph
- meter is utilized in thermometer or centimeter
- photo finds usage in photograph
- scop or to see is utilized in the word microscope
- therm or heat is utilized in thermometer

The Latin root "act" is utilized in react or transact. The Latin root
"ang" means to bend as in angle or angular. The Latin root "aud" for
hear is seen in the word audible. The Latin root "credit" is seen in
incredible etc.

The book is a worthy acquisition for the student, linguist, writer or
academic person in your household. It is a good value for the price charged.

As a dual-language elementary teacher it is important that I teach my students the meaning of specific words in the subjects they have to learn in order to get the meaning. This book allows me to concentrate on the meaning, context and usage of words in the different subjects I teach rather than having to look for the words and then do what I described. It has also helped me build a stronger vocabulary and made me a better teacher for my students.

Building Background Knowledge For Academic Achievement: Research On What Works In Schools by Robert J. Marzano (Senior Scholar, Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning, Aurora, Colorado and Associate Professor, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) discusses how two combined approaches - sustained silent reading and careful study of subject-specific vocabulary terms - can help young adults overcome weaknesses in background knowledge that would otherwise undermine their educational pursuits, from elementary to high school. In addition to the outlined principles for a sustained silent reading program, and effective vocabulary instruction, over 7,923 actual vocabulary terms have been culled for presentation from national standards documents and other publications, organized into 11 subject areas and 4 grade-level categories. A superb home schooling, self-study, or curriculum supplementary guide, highly recommended for parents, educators, tutors, and studious individuals seeking to hone the tools that maximize their comprehension skills.

This is a intricately researched and excellently illustrated book on a subject where good informative material is hard if not impossible to find. The author obviosly knows his subject and weaves the history of the region together with a thorough examination of Caucasian Prayer rugs to create a book for both the novice and the serious collector alike. Use it for your own research or put it on your coffee table.

"Prayer Rugs" by Ralph Kaffel was a pleasant surprise. Instead of just another pseudo-scientific rehash of someone else's field work Kaffel has presented us with a lesson in connoisseurship. All too often someone will read all the literature and present their distillation as fact. In "Prayer Rugs" Kaffel show us his sources and when there is disagreement he shows us the differences in opinion. In the discussion of Daghestan Prayer rugs he even gives us the opinions of auction house specialists such as Mary Jo Otsi and Jo Kris. This book is not ethnology or anthropology it is about collecting Caucasian Prayer rugs and in the light it gets a solid 5 stars.

This is a really informative book on Caucasian Prayer Rugs. Comprehensive data on this subject is not readily available in other rug books. Text includes a brief history of trade and rug weaving in the Caucasus in the 19th century, but my favorite feature of the book is the quality and selection of the color plates of the various types of prayer rugs discussed in the book. I learned alot from it.

I bought this little book years ago from an used book store; it was worn and falling apart. I read it so many times, I added to it's ultimate demise. The binding finally fell apart and the pages were falling out...so it's time to get another copy, (hopefully one that's more intact). Great book!

This book has been a great help to me in getting more out of the parables of Jesus. The chapter on the parable of the Talents is worth far more than the price of the book.

One of Ellen White's great small books, she begins by establishing the reason for Jesus' use of parables and relates that back to our time. The author then proceeds to examine many ofthe famous parables in the gospels. The approach focuses on expanding and explaining the story itself and then proceeds to explain the spiritual significance. the language is simple and the writing flows easily. Clearly the work of an insipred person.

The historical information, both narrative and pictorial was eye opening for someone that was born and raised in the area. The stories of a port Bagdad all of a sudden became real. The accounts of the rise and fall of goverments in both sides of the border provide an exciting window to the past, a treasure of local history, a tale of two sister cities, which has not been dutifully explored by the locals. The accounts of steamboats on the Rio Grande and the impact they had on the economy of the area at first appeared surreal, yet the oportune historical photography of the 1860's and Thompson's accurate narratives transport the reader into the era.

Civil War And Revolution On The Rio Grande Frontier: A Narrative And Photographic History is the story of the bloody fighting that erupted in Zapata Country only days after the shots fired at Fort Sumter initiated the American Civil War. Featuring more than 125 vintage images taken by a skilled Prussian photographer Louis de Planque and his followers, Civil War And Revolution On The Rio Grande Frontier is a captivating illustrated history that relates the deadly toll of war. It covers not only the Civil War itself, but the guerilla fighting that continued long after the official end of the war, and the murderous raids and mercenary armies that pillaged both sides of the border, as well as the "justice" that would sometimes amount to indiscriminate hanging. A highly recommended contribution to American history and reference shelves.

Just when one feels he has read the best history of the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, here comes another. Names, People, Places and now Photographs, This book is like the candles on a birthday cake, with out it, the full picture is not complete. James A. McAllen

I am not a teacher, nor a poet. But, this book speaks to me! The first night I read the entire collection of poems. I related well to the bittersweet emotions one experiences while preparing for a major life change; in the author's case, retirement. I continually read 'Snow Day' to remind myself, a mother of two small children, to preserve my "downtime" for reconnecting with myself. "House cleaning and bill paying [can always] will wait awhile." This collection of poems is brilliant and heart-warming!

This is an engaging personal account of a high school teacher's thoughts and preparation on the eve of retirement captured in 25 tightly written, emotion-packed, image-rich poems. Apprehension collides with anticipation, nagging uncertainties, numerous possibilities:

"Sometimes my brain brews a mix of chemicals
That washes over me like a toxic tide.
What will I do if I made the wrong choice?
Retirement feels claustrophobic.
The attraction of being unfettered and free
Opposes the fear of isolation and loneliness
Like combatants in a wrestling match.
I am ambivalent."


Mr. Margolis' choice is met with conflicting advice; his brother counsels against retiring. It would be worthwhile reading for anyone contemplating retirement, especially so for those in the education profession.

Beyond his retirement dilemma, he offers a refreshing but perhaps antiquated philosophy on education:

"I believe children are responsible for their learning...
Homework is intended for students...
Children should adapt to teachers...
Schools can demand good behavior...
Sometimes, failure is the best teacher.
Students who are always propped-up will never
Grow strong enough to stand by themselves."

In his Introduction, Mr. Margolis posits that "I do not think of retirement as rest." One is naturally curious to see how his retirement evolved. Has he been as prolific as he was in his last year of teaching? Perhaps the author will offer a sequel addressing how he fared in retirement. Given his gift for expression, such an enterprise would be profitable for readers.

As a poet myself, I am generally fascinated with the subject; nonetheless, at the present point in my life, my time is often not my own and I no longer have time for much pleasure reading. I am wary of the same old thing, and the new and the avante-garde is too often just rubbish repackaged as the unique or ultra-modern. Thus, if I'm going to take the time to read on my personal time, it had better have merit. One work I've recently made the time to peruse and I have enjoyed reading is Class Dismissed! A Teacher Says Goodbye. Charlie Margolis' collection is concise (just 25 poems), not overwhelming nor overly sentimental, and yet the topics examined are weighty and worthy of more than one read. Charlie's poems have a simplicity and forthrightness that is charming, and it is that overall charm that forces us to keep flipping the pages. Maybe it is that Charlie writes for his own soul, without the confines of anyone else's ideas of how poetry should be presented; in short, he is not out to impress what we might term the "poetry establishment." His words are directed less by form and function than by the free-flowing yet carefully-crafted "stream of consciousness" spirit of a man facing the closing of one door and the opening of numerous others. Still, Charlie is an artist. He was a teacher of art for many years, and Charlie has a respect for the craft of presentation, whether he is sharing his drawings, his photography or, in this case, his poetry. Charlie's poems speak to the heart of the reader; his lines are delicate and lyrical, passionate and dynamic, yet palpable. Class Dismissed! is accessible to a diverse audience, not necessarily only to teachers or to students. The Connecticut Education Association chose to publish Charlie's work likely because of Charlie's insight (as a CT public school teacher for 35 years) into facing the prospect of retirement. Charlie wrote the poems included here as a chronicle of his thoughts as he goes through his last year of teaching. He takes us through poetic examinations with titles such as "Indecision," "Open House," "Inservice Day," "Rules," "Unemployment Opportunity," "Counting the Days," "Days Like These," all leading up to the inevitable "Goodbye" and then "the Mourning After." Any teacher of any age can surely relate to the myriad of emotions Charlie faces during his last year of employment in the public schools. If you are a teacher, this is a book that deserves a place on your bookshelf. If you know someone who is heading to retirement, this work would be a very appropriate gift. If you think you too may have a retirement somewhere in your future, then you will surely relate to the themes of this book. I think Charlie has done a terrific job, and I encourage you to add his work to your home library.

This volume gives us a very unusual and refreshing glimpse of virtually every aspect of the game. The patience and thoughtfulness given to analyzing and selecting from among the half-million images in the USGA photo archives is amazing enough in itself, but what Marty Parkes and his collaborators at Golf House have put together here will stir the imagination and thrill the soul of anyone who has ever held a golf club. Whether it's Tiger with his Dad or Old Tom Morris and Harry Vardon at St. Andrews, Ouimet blasting out of a bunker at the '23 Walker Cup or, perhaps one of the most poignant photos, a group of uniformed servicemen on a practice green at Camp Gordon, Georgia during World War II, this volume has it all ... and all of us will be the better for spending time with it!

I am fortunate and I am forever grateful to be the proud holder of this beautiful book.

I purchased this book as a Father's Day gift for my golfer husband. He loved it! Our golfer son came to visit and he loved it! National Geographic has produced an excellent product with this beautifully photographed and extremely well written volume. My husband placed it on our bookcase...face forward...it's that beautiful!

Excelent and concise review.Comprehensive how to guidelines for evaluation,risk determination and treatment including frequency for re-evaluation.How much weight factors such as obesity,glycemic control,smoking, foot hygiene,and propensity to walk barefoot inside and outdoors are not used to increase the risk score.The authors should use their vast experience to add several or all of the above to modify the risk score.

Thourough overview, yet very practical. I would recommend it to every health care professional dealing with the diabetic foot.

Medical experts David Armstrong and Lawrence Lavery editorially collaborate in Clinical Care Of The Diabetic Foot to present the reader with up to date information on all aspects of diabetes as related to foot care and symptoms. Written especially as a handbook for foot care specialists, but also useful to lay readers seeking to educate themselves concerning how to care for their own feet or the feet of loved one's and hopefully prevent amputation, Clinical Care Of The Diabetic Foot covers foot exams, wound care, managing infections, preventive footwear, charcot foot and peripheral arterial disease, and much more. Black/white photographs, charts, and reference lists round out this highly recommended and welcome contribution to medical handbook and diabetes reference shelves.

Great book outlining a proven method of setting up a successful program which was what I was looking for.

Coach Allan Trimble has a 111-9 record and six consecutive Class 6A state championship titles. And his winning list goes on and on...

His book is a step by step guide on how to start and maintain a successfull football program.

This book covers the I-formation (power running game with a wide open passing attack) and a versatile multiple defensive system. Which, he used to win a 32-2 career playoff record and 25 consecutive playoff victories.

This book is very user friendly. Coach Trimble uses tons of pictures and diagrams. If you do not understand what he is talking about, all you have to do is look at the pictures. If you are looking for a play book, here it is. This book is great for youth to college level.


If you want to read about another coach that has reached the same level of success, read "COACHING FOOTBALL SUCCESSFULLY" BY Bob READE

This isnt one of those x and o books but rather an inofrmational book. It details every single thing you could possibly use at any level. All around it's a great book!!!!!!