Products Books

Dr. Shanefield was an improtant colleague and advisor back at my first job with Western Electric Engineering Research Center, Princeton.

Dan gave guidance to me while I worked through a critical problem in a WE ceramic manufacturing process. It was during this period that I learned to focus on the obscure and think. We had a great team.

Thank you, Dan!
Bill Schultz
San Jose CA

Well...I am a little (!) biased at the get-go in writing this review since I know Dr. Shanefield in person (in fact his office is next to mine!). This book aims at providing the reader with a sound backround in ceramic processing, as well as the essential "working tools" needed in real life. It is written rather densely. You will find useful information in almost every single sentence of the book. The text is nothing but a reflection of the infamous DJ Shanefield trademark of competence that is recognized all over the world (spanning three successful decades of industrial research).
The book addresses all the main aspects of ceramic processing (from powder characteristics to colloidal processing and sintering) and provides the reader with great insights into the underlying chemical phenomena from an operational point of view. What I particularily like about this book is its very concise summary of the underlying organic chemistry principles of binders. Consequently, the reader does not have to make recourse to organic chemistry books and extract the necessary background information for him/herself. This book, terefore, is a very valuable source in aquiring the threshold amount of information on organic chemistry for an array of applications in processing science.
The book also contains many case studies (including laboratory experiments) at the end that are derived from the author's many years of experience in industry. Many footnotes are included in the book as well, which are very entertaining and educational. In my opinion, the book deserves special recognition since it blends "science" and real life together in a very effective and balanced manner, which some of us simply call Engineering! Specifically, in this book the reader is exposed to problem solving en lieu of being bombarded by a wealth of encyclopedic information which, unfortunately, is the case with many books on this subject. I highly recommend this book to those who want learn more about Ceramic Processing.

A completely compelling account of exactly how far a business will go to make a profit. Brodeur is a brilliant writer.

An amazing account of how the asbestos companies poisoned millions and conspired to prevent the release of the dangers of asbestos. The book displays the possibilities of corporate greed and contains a blueprint for preventing future toxic nightmares.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

I think this was a wonderful book. It's simple to understand that pacifiers are not forever, and there comes a time when one grows bigger and it's time to stop using them. I think this books gets the message across really well, giving a lot of positive compliments to a child when they are ready to try and reach that point that they are now "bigger" and "it's time". I would recommend this book to a parent that will soon work with their child to get rid of their pacifier a head of time, so their child knows at some point, they will stop using it. I would also recommend this book for a child that is now ready to give it up, or one that just has and is having difficulty.

It is one thing to be successful. Quite another to be truly passionate about one's work. And yet another to have the ability to share that enthusiasm with others. In "A Passion for Winning" Aaron Cushman has done all three. He teaches by the example of his fine work and by his strong desire to have others follow in his footsteps. This book is great for anyone who desires a career in communications - or who needs a boost of confidence to jump-start a stalled career. (Review by Marion E. Gold - author of "Personal Publicity Planner: A Guide to Marketing YOU" and "TOP COPS: Profiles of Women in Command)

A Passion For Winning: Fifty Years Of Promoting Legendary People And Products offers the personal and professional wisdom of experienced Public Relations career man and author Aaron Cushman. Now retired, Cushman shares anecdotes drawn from his lively working years and directly addresses matters important and specific to public relations work. From his insight into, and definitions of, the practice of "spinning"; to tips, tricks, and techniques to earn positive media relations; to reacting to unexpected crises, and much, much more, A Passion For Winning is very highly recommended reading -- especially for anyone interested in a PR career for themselves.

I just want to say that this book, and the follow-up book is a must for beginner pianists. Use of this book requires no prior knowledge of piano-or music. The treble and bass clef notes are taught, the recomended finger positions for the cords are clearly displayed and the studies are wonderfully arranged for beginner to intermediate players. I would recomend these method books to anyone wishing to begin playing piano. After each study, there is a well known song that you will be able to play immediately. Two thumbs up!

I just want to say that this book, and the follow-up book is a must for beginner pianists. Use of this book requires no prior knowledge of piano-or music. The treble and bass clef notes are taught, the recomended finger positions for the cords are clearly displayed and the studies are wonderfully arranged for beginner to intermediate players. I would recomend these method books to anyone wishing to begin playing piano. After each study, there is a well known song that you will be able to play immediately. Two thumbs up!

I am an engineer and this book provides and excellent source of eary to read pictures and case studies. This is a must have for anyone who must take care of the details of Lean, or JIT.

This books provides extensive examples of jigs, fixtures and procedures to prevent errors during assy and fab of parts and subassemblies. The simplicity of the solutions is quite amazing. This is not a theoretical, academic discussion. The best part of the book, comprising 240 pages, are real world examples. Each case is presented with a problem statement and sketches of the before and after conditions. Be aware that the vast majority of discussion is towards PROCESS changes, not DESIGN changes. This is where I have some disappointment, as I am involved in design features for quality improvements (DFX). Several of the examples show issues that SHOULD have been addressed in the design and never have reached the factory. In my opinion a clever fixture is second choice to a design that eliminates the need. To that end, a classic example of a design change is given on p171. Process fixes such as the majority of the ideas presented in this book are nonetheless valuable and should be considered as "thought generators" to inspire factory personnel at all levels to look for opportunities for simple, low cost and effective solutions to current problems. This book will not sit unused on a shelf!

Let me say right from the beginning that I have been writing copy for more than a dozen years. Everything from broadcast to direct mail. And after you read all the essential classics in the field (and those copywriting for less than 5 years MUST first read the classics by Bly, Caples, Ogilvy, and yes Lewis too) I can't think of any other book better suited than this one for refining and fine tuning the more experienced copywriter! Power Copywriting takes us on a wonderful journey through the refinements of the copywriting craft. Things professionals have always instinctively known but LOVE seeing corroborated in print - and - things we've perhaps never considered and will try FIRST THING TOMORROW! Very little actual narrative. It's just pages and pages of sophisticated tips, secrets, and wisdom served to you in bite size chunks. A book not really meant for the novice because it presumes the reader can really tell the difference between a feature and a benefit and already understands all the basics. This book BUILDS UPON the basics. To stay sharp, I've read this book twice a year since I've purchased it. I've seen my copywriting "pull" significantly better after reading Lewis' Power and so will you. If you've already read the classics and have more than 4 or 5 years experience in copywriting - GET THIS BOOK!

I work in the creative department of a New York based advertising agency whose name most in the business would instantly recognize. Lewis's book was recommended to me as an interesting and valuable read. I bought it and found it immensely helpful. Wonderful! Not sure why more people in the "biz" don't know about it! I wholeheartedly agree with the review that appears above....this is an exquisite book. THIS is the book they should be using in graduate level communications courses. On the other hand, forget it. I want to keep my job! A TRUE GEM OF A BOOK - GET IT!

Product Innovation Strategy, Pure and Simple: How Winning Companies Outpace Their Competitors
by Michel Robert

This book is now superceded by the author's 'STRATEGIC PRODUCT INNOVATION, PURE & SIMPLE: CREATING NEW-TO-THE-MARKET PRODUCTS THAT BREED COMPETITIVE SUPREMACY', although the intellectual contents remain intact as well as unchanged. The latter is apparently published by the author's own consulting company, Decision Processes International.

The principal theme of this book, just like that of the new book, is making innovation a learnable & repeatable disciplined business practice.

In this respect, the author has done a remarkable job.

When it comes to understanding and explaining why some companies develop and launch new products better than their competitors, Mike Robert has no equal. In preparing to help overhaul the strategic planning process at a major publishing firm, we read countless books on strategic planning before choosing Mike's "Strategy, Pure and Simple" as our guide. We couldn't have made a better choice. Mike's tell-it-like-it-is style and clearly defined process served as a guide through numerous planning sessions. Four years later, I find myself consulting for a major insurance and annuity provider who's seeking to establish a disciplined new product development process. The book we're using as our guide? Mike Robert's "Product Innovation Strategy, Pure and Simple". I wouldn't have it any other way. If you're considering improving your company's strategic planning and new product development processes, I highly recommend both of Mike Robert's recent works (unless, of course, you're competing with the company I'm currently working with.

JD Dragan is one of the most preeminent fine art photographers working today. Focusing on the African American male nude, Dragan's passion for documenting his truth is what makes his work so important today. He's one of the few American based photographers whose willing to focus on an often overlooked segment of society. I had the pleasure of speaking with the artist in depth about his passion for photography and the development of his recent calendar Black. [...].

A few years ago I visited the web site and was somewhat impressed. The web site do not do the photographs justice. Luckily at the time his works were being shown at an art gallery in downtown Phila. PA. After seeing his works up close and personal I purchased three (3) 22' x 28" photos. Later I purchased three (3) 16" x 20" photos and another 22" x 28" photo. Needless to say I am a Big fan. What I most appreciated was the fact that Mr. Dragan actually came to my house to help me mount the photographs to be shown in the best possible light. I also like the way he does not objectify the men, nor does he exploit them. He takes time to get to know them before the first shot is taken.

Superb collection from this brilliant "speculative fiction" writer, author of the delightful CORRUPTING DR. NICE. Too bad amazon.com used the Kirkus review, which was the ONLY negative review I read of Kessel's work.

This volume was originally intended to be a reprint of Kessel's Arkham House collection "Meeting in Infinity". In its final form, however, it includes only nine stories from that earlier volume. Instead, The Pure Product, in Kessel's words, "is a collection of stories that do not exist as portions of either Freedom Beach or Good News from Outer Space." Thus we are presented with seven previously uncollected tales, one dramatic adaptation, one new story, and two poems.

The most intriguing stories in The Pure Product here are those which deal with alternate realities. Readers are first treated to a short biography of 1930s science fiction writer Herman Melville ("Herman Melville: Space Opera Virtuoso"). In "The Franchise", Fidel Castro and George Bush play baseball, not politics, but nevertheless find themselves engaged in battle. Finally, Kessel presents a bittersweet meeting between his own father and H. G. Wells in "Buffalo".

Of course, The Pure Product contains examples of Kessel's trademark humor and wit. Entries such as "The Einstein Express" (wherein the protagonist learns about relativity firsthand), and "Man" (a story about a homeowner with a unique "pest" in his basement) will raise smiles. Also included is the hilarious "Faustfeathers", a play in two acts which can be described, as the title suggests, as Dr. Faustus meets the Marx Brothers.

These lighthearted pieces are balanced by some with darker premises. Thus, we have the philosophical "Buddha Nostril Bird" and "Animals", as well as the Bradbury-like "The Lecturer". "Not responsible! Park it and Lock it!" posits a bleak future where the American love affair with the automobile has been taken to a ridiculous extreme. "A Clean Escape" reflects on responsibility and culpability. "Invaders", contrasts Pizarro's conquest of the Incas with a bona fide alien invasion. Finally, "Hearts Do Not in Eyes Shine", a poignant tale of memory, trust, and betrayal, and "Gulliver at Home", which tells what the neighbors REALLY thought about the tales Lemuel Gulliver brought home, are revealing tales of married love.

The collection also features three of Kessel's unique brand of time travel stories. "The Pure Product" feels like a science fiction version of Natural Born Killers (published in 1986, it actually preceded that movie). The other two appear to be companion pieces to his recent novel Corrupting Dr. Nice. "Some Like it Cold" features a disconsolate Marilyn Monroe, saved from suicide and brought to the future, only to be returned to the lifestyle that destroyed her. "The Miracle of Ivar Avenue" tells a tale of murder and deceit featuring Preston Sturges, the film director who influenced much of Kessel's work.

If The Pure Product demonstrates anything, it is that Kessel is unclassifiable. There's a little bit of everything here, from time travel to alternate realities, comedy to tragedy. Kessel has said that, as a boy, he read science fiction both for escape and for its ability to inspire "the proverbial sense of wonder." The stories in The Pure Product will afford many other readers that same opportunity.