Budget Books

I would recommend this book to a friend with absolutely no hesitation. The title of the book, Sell More, doesn't really cover the scope. While increasing sales is always the ultimate goal, the book touches on almost every aspect of running a business from initial set-up to getting the most from employees to how to deal with unhappy customers. Sell More was obviously written for businesses that want to give their customers great value and generate good word-of-mouth and repeat business. Honestly, in a perfect world I would only have to deal with companies that followed the advice in this book. Written in a fun and fast-paced style, but always takes the subject seriously. The suggestions are extremely creative but above all solid. The specific advertising strategies are frequently flat-out brilliant. Sell More would be a valuable tool for any business, for a new business it would be crucial.

Sell More by Judy McKay is very well written in a simple and interesting manner. She immediately grasps your attention and holds it until the very end. The book is challenging and thought-provoking. She encourages entrepreneurs or prospective entrepreneurs to be creative - be proactive.
One subject that especially interested me was discussion on the niche market. She emphasized the importance of identifying and focusing on our niche market.
Even though there are only 102 pages, Judy has left no stone unturned. In very short and simple language she covers many subjects that apply to long-time entrepreneurs and those new in the business field. I recommend her book to anyone wanting to "Sell More" and make a difference.

This is an excellent book. I found this book particularly helpful since I work in the hospitality industry. With such a wide spectrum of competition, new ideas are always required to maintain guest satisfaction and for gaining their continued patronage. This book delivers!

As the owner of a small business, budgets for extensive advertising simply do not exist, however the need to reach my target audience to drive more sales is constantly at the forefront. We have been conditioned to believe that the higher the cost of an advertising effort - the more successful the results. It simply is not true.

Sell More shows us that what we really need is to really take time to understand what we are selling and specifically how that relates to customer's needs. The common sense and economical strategies are the "practical magic" that is needed to turn this understanding into dollars in the register.

A must read for all small business that want to take it to the next level.

I am a nursing student in Indiana and I read this book. Ms. McKay's chapter on customer service was instrumental in helping me successfully interact with my client's on a daily basis. In Chapter 6 "Customer Service, it's not brain surgery or rocket science; its harder," Ms. McKay writes, "It is about integrating a positive customer experience into all facets of your day to day operation." Using this technique, I have had very positive feedback from my client's. If you deal with clients on any level this book is a "must have."

"Killing for Culture" is a fascinating look at the subject of death in film and other media. Of particular note is the history behind the "Snuff" film, an urban legend that has persisted for years of movies where someone on-camera is murdered, for real. Of course, not one single frame of a snuff film has ever been uncovered, but that hasn't stopped the legend from appearing, and re-appearing, over time.

In addition to the sections on snuff, other areas of the death genre are explored, from the "Mondo" films of the 1960s, to the present-day "Faces of Death" style gore feasts. It makes for a fascinating, if gruesome, study of the various death genres of film and video.

CREATION books has taken over the world of publishing books about cinema and this is the best one the have released. A very thourough, well researched and fascinating journey into the subterrainian world of the Mondo movie. David and David approach the subject with abject skill and make every word count even when describing films that would send the average person into a coma for years to come.

This book breaks the barriers and dispells the myths makig it an essential purchase for anyone interested in the darker regions of cinema.

Killing for Culture is the first and most sought after of the Creation Cinema series. It covers all types of death in film looking at how it is portrayed and why. Nothing is left out from the real death seen in the Faces of Death video series to the elaborately staged "real" killings in fictional films to the wanton slaughtering of animals in the Mondo series. Yes, even "snuff" films are discussed in various sections first looking at their depiction in Hollywood films such as Hardcore (1979) and then speculating on their existence.

The chapters on snuff films is definitely the most interesting if for no other reason than this is probably one of the only available filmic studies of it. Kerekes and Slater share the opinion that while there probably ARE a small number of snuff films in existence, it's highly unlikely that there was ever any sort of underground market for that sort of thing. They define snuff not as a film of someone simply dying, but as a film made for the sadistic pleasure of the viewer. In that sense, TV news clips of plane crashes and such do not constitute snuff. Along the way, they examine some films rumored to have actual deaths onscreen. Films like Last House on Dead End Street (1977) and Snuff (1974) were made with the entire cast and crew using assumed names. Thus, they are sometimes seen as obscure films made by a bunch of psycho killers. Kerekes and Slater do a great job of finding out who actually made them and how they staged what many thought to be real murders.

There is a nice history of Mondo film and it looks at various cultural implications of Italian and, later, American film crews invading other countries, exploiting and terrorizing natives, and slaughtering animals senselessly. It will make you think twice before buying the new-to-DVD Mondo Caine series.

For anyone who has read a Creation Cinema book, this is not much different. There are many black and white stills of varying degrees of quality. The writing style is fairly sloppy. Kerekes and Slater are not cunning linguists in any respect. They are, however, good researchers and excellent film buffs. Their enthusiasm for these films are evident on every page. Their descriptions of the terrible plots, acting, and directing are quite funny, but it's always clear that as technically lacking as the films are, they still love them. As a fan of "bad" movies, I understand where they're coming from.

If you like films such as Thriller: A Cruel Picture, I Spit on Your Grave, Toolbox Murders, Nail Gun Massacre, etc., you'll find this book is an amazing resource. It's great that somebody is looking at these films in a somewhat academic way without forgetting that they are, above all, entertainment. This book has been out of print for a while now and as a result the price is fairly high (and getting higher). I recommend picking up a copy at any price before it's too late. Enjoy.

A much-needed, carefully researched book that looks into the darkest of cinematic shadows. I especially like that they debunk the snuff film industry. Also commendable are the copious footnotes and the exhaustive index that lists movies by their alternate titles, directors, and years of production--very helpful when scouring the video stores for "Guinea Pig 2," "Man Behind the Sun," or even "Gimme Shelter." Certainly it gets into some stomach-churning descriptions, but I appreciate the dispassionate approach to a topic usually dealt with by pandering, slavering idiots. These Creation books, man I love 'em.

Autopsies. Car crashes. Suicides. Executions. Horrible accidents. Human remains. Assassinations. Welcome to the horrifying and disturbing yet often weirdly fascinating world of death in film. Face it, most people are strangely attracted by images of violence and death - just like stopping and watching when an accident has happened.
KILLING FOR CULTURE concerns death in films. The book starts with the story of an obscure movie named SNUFF in 1976. Originally titled SLAUGHTER, this 1971 ultracheapo horror flick about a MANSON - style murder spree was considered unwatchable and remained unreleased for several years until movie producer Allan SHACKLETON got an idea: He shot a new ending, where an actress was seemingly "killed" on camera for real (though the basement special effects clearly proofed otherwise). Cleverly promoted with the slogan "shot in South America, where life is cheap" SNUFF turned out to be a huge success. This was how the concept of snuff movies (where people are killed for real) was introduced. Other feature films like EMMANUELLE IN AMERICA or LAST HOUSE ON DEAD END STREET further elaborated on this concept. The authors review the above mentioned films and many more in great detail and with much knowledge.
Further chapters revolve around the socalled "mondo" (shockumentary) film and how this genre evolved, starting with MONDO CANE in 1962. Writers KEREKES and SLATER show in a very detailed way, how mondo directors faked and re-enacted death footage, which was allegedly "real". I found this making - of approach particularly interesting. Many of the horrifying mondo films (like THE KILLING OF AMERICA and the infamous FACES OF DEATH series) are dealt with in lengthy reviews. Considering the subject matter one might expect that the book is written in an exploitative way. This clearly is not the case.
Further chapters concern films where real atrocity footage was used - like the US porn movie FORCED ENTRY about a posttraumatic stress disorder suffering Vietnam veteran rapist, whose "activities" are interspersed with actual combat newsreel footage. The last chapter details how tabloid papers and feminists are propagating the urban legend of snuff films.
The sheer amount of facts concerning real reel death the authors have crammed in the relatively small book is amazing:
Hospital documentaries like the 6 hour long NEAR DEATH. Nauseating underground films. The famous ZAPRUDER amateur film of the assassination of president John F. KENNEDY. Autopsy films like THE ACT OF SEEING WITH ONE'S OWN EYES. Driver education films depicting the daily carnage on the streets. Incidents where people committed suicide live in front a camera - like Pennsylvania state treasurer Budd R. DWYER, who blew his brains out with a .357 revolver during a press conference after being convicted of bribery. The GIMME SHELTER concert film, where a camera by accident caught some Hell's Angels stabbing a man. (Please note that these are only a few examples of what to find in this excellent book.)
The book is illustrated with dozens of highly interesting pictures (video covers, stills, posters, ad material, newspaper clips).
And, yes, the infamous Japanese GUINEA PIG series is covered as well. On a lighter note, the authors also review a hoax autopsy film of a Roswell alien (!)
As you can image this book is disturbing, sometimes revolting and could be offensive to some. Clearly it is only for the most devoted fan of extreme and obscure cinema/film and the most hardened horror buff. But for these groups it is absolutely indispensable. I can't praise it high enough.

Thank you for this book. It was exactly what I was looking for. My husband and I will travel to Senegal and Ghana early 2008 and we will be touring those places associated with the slave trade. I am also researching our family trees and am looking forward to returning to the Motherland.
The part of the book that gives a snapshot of each country on the west coast of Africa, things to take with you and proper behavior in each country was helpful. We would not want to do anything to offend our African brothers and sisters.
Continue doing what you are doing.

Sincerely yours,
Hazhin

This book opened my eyes. I was brainwashed about Africa and did not know it. It was if the book was speaking directly to me. This is a great book easy to read but alot of information

Roots Recovered is not only a practical travel guide, but also a valuable guide for tracing African-American ancestry! The resources and references in this book are extensive and the writers have traveled to these places--making it a treasure trove of information. The traveler can trace one's roots to specific African tribes. The book contains bits of history and is informative, as well as educational and helps Blacks with the misrepresentations about Africa. As a bonus, the reader learns how to travel for free or on a budget. I especially enjoyed these sections: useful phrases, watch you back, women travelers, photography etiquette and places of interest (not your ordinary ones). This book is a must read for anyone planning to travel to Africa.

I really like this book. The resources and references are fantastic and the author proves that he knows what he is talking about. His experiences were exciting, genuwine and informative. In addition there are individual chapters on various West African countries and what you might expect during your visits, plus great information on embassy offices, cheap air seats and safety. A must have for the traveler.

This book is very different. It is a travel book yet it touches upon history and brainwashing of African Americans and how travel to Africa can change the brainwashing. I love Africa so this book did not directly concern me but people who have a bad image of Africa should buy this book. This book is not what I expected but it was a pleasant surprise. This book will make a Black person not be afraid to go to Africa to see it because it informs you of all the misrepresentions.

Bought this book for my 17 year old son. He loves it. A must have for anyone seriously interested in Chevy engines and car restoration.

A very helpful guide with easy to read text and super pictures.
Thank You
Jeff Lacy

I Purchased this book 1 year ago and learned more from it in that time than from 5 years of bench racing with buddies. It not only shows the levels of performance and economy attainable by the venerable Chevy V8, but the theories this book teaches can be applied to most other forms of automotive engine building. So much information in such a small book, that is written with such eloquence that even the most amateur of amateuers can grasp, and fully comprehend it's writings. David Vizard, the author, is an accomplished engineer with a background in the aerospace industry, and is also a seasoned automobile racer. This book is a true summary of several of his other books, which go much farther into detail than this one does. From basic cylinder head porting, to rotating assembly prep and carbuerator tuning, this book covers so many bases that it is a must have in any garage.

david vizard is the best performance auther i have ever read. he only relies on things he has personally proven, and he shows you how he has proven it. he doesn't seem to be as oppinionated as other authors. i would recommend reading any of his books

Vizard delivers exactly what the title is all about. He helps you balance power & longevity against the pocketbook. He also substantiates his claims with his own companies dyno or flow data. Rebuilds range from a minimum of $600@300hp to a maximum of $3000@550hp. Add some nitrous (he talks about this too) and you have a 800hp engine for under $3500 bucks! Be warned, he is blunt and opinionated but backs up his claims.

This book is incredibly inspirational for those who love someone on the spectrum! It is a story of true love, sacrifice, and rewards. There's nothing we wouldn't do for our children and this book reveals the strength and determination of this family through their journey. Your heart will be touched and your life will be blessed!

As the parent of a child with DS, Juli Liske's In the Eye of the Hurricane was recommended to me. The book was not what I expected it to be, but everything that a book can be. Juli's sincere writing style drew me into her experience and to Ben's story, to the extent that it was hard to set the book down. Her honest portrayal of a parent of a child with special needs, was so realistic that I relived feelings and heard my thoughts mimicked more than once in her written word. The tenacity and strenght of character, that led her down the path to unlocking the door of her autistic son's capabilites is admirable. The fact that she did not give up on her son, even when experienced professionals were not so positive in supporting her plan was inspirational.
I completed the book feeling educated about autism, supported by her scripture quotes, and gently chastised by her perseverence and resourcefulness. This easy to read book is a must read for all of us touched by a person with "different abilities," including parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, aunts, uncles, therapists, and school bus drivers.

As a Licensed Psychotherapist and Behavioral Management Consultant in private practice, I give my strong and enthusiastic applause to the message of this book. Too often, parents bring their challenging children to us "experts" to "fix", and display no motivation to become an integral part of a therapeutic team. My work with children in the autistism spectrum is, and always has been, much more about parent training than "children fixing". The Liskes refused to conform to the limited resources and therapeutic strategies available through conventional avenues. Instead, they educated themselves about behavioral principles, and developed their own home-based, intensive, therapeutic behavioral strategies that brought Ben, their autistic son, back to them. Their "never-give-up" love for Ben transformed his world and theirs from a hurricane of behavioral destruction to a post-storm world of daily wonder as Ben's true intellectual abilities continue to emerge and develop. This book is inspirational, authentic, down to earth in its honesty and style, and should serve as a model for other parents who encounter frustration and ineffectiveness in the professional therapeutic community. I highly recommend "In The Eye Of The Hurricane", and personally look forward to the sequel.

B. Kerry Brown, LCSW, MSW, CBA
Licensed Psychotherapist
Behavioral Management Consultant
Certified Family Law Mediator
Certified Parenting Coordinator

In the Eye of the Hurricane is an enlightening and refreshing story of how a family in need can rise above adversity and develop their own solutions to the difficulties they face. Rather than be inhibited by the lack of available services when their young son was diagnosed with autism, Juli and Gordon designed a structured curriculum incorporating direct instruction and best practices. The resulting changes have been amazing. Ben was transformed from a child who was out of control to an exceptional accelerated learner. I fully endorse the manuscript and think it will provide other parents who have children with disabilities with hope and inspiration.
Dr. Mark T. Harvey, BCBA, PhD
Dept. of Special Education, Vanderbilt University

Juli Liske's In the Eye of the Hurricane is a profoundly beautiful and moving book. To read it is to share in the journey of the Liske family, not just from rural Eastern Kentucky to Middle Tennessee, but also in their journey from brokenness to healing, from helplessness to empowerment, and from despair to hope. There is a very difficult struggle that parents of children on the autism spectrum come to know. That is, the struggle between the desire to do anything, everything that you possibly can for your child with autism to help ease his way and lessen his challenges, and on the other hand, the innate knowledge a parent has that despite what the world would have you believe, your child is perfect just as he is. Add in the challenges of keeping expectations as high as possible, and it's little wonder many families lose hope, give up the fight, and accept the status quo.

In the Eye of the Hurricane is the story of a family calling on their inner reserve of faith to embrace that struggle and use it as a path to a richer life for themselves, and particularly for their son, Ben. This story of how the Liske's crafted a program for Ben where no program existed, and are continuing to learn to challenge him in the ways he needs to bring out the unique, wonderful person that he will become, is a story that will inspire and challenge ALL of us to become better parents to our own children.

John Shouse, Parent
2nd Vice Chair, Autism Society of America
Past President, Autism Society of Middle Tennessee

A book on finance is probably not a topic most young people would be eager to spend a lot of time on, so this is a great gift book for teens and kids going to college as it is short and fact-filled. In a small book Ms. Gordon manages to cover all of the basics regarding how to responsibly handle money and avoid financial crises. The page layout is easy to read and clean with short chapters and bold headlines to direct the eye to topics of interest. There is even an index. How to plan a budget, handle credit, what contributes to a good or bad credit score (information even seasoned adults can benefit from), keeping your personal information safe, balancing a checkbook, what you need to get that first job, and more. An amazing variety in one short and affordable book that won't intimidate by its size. This book DOESN'T suck.

Everyone wants money, but few understand what to do with it. "Money Sucks!: Money Strategies for Real Life" offers lessons that few people have ever been taught about the importance of planning with one's money. Aiming to give readers the essentials, and deliberately not a ten pound financial textbook, "Money Sucks!" is an excellent read for anyone just starting out and seeking to plan their money usage to avoid future problems.

Reviewed by Tina Avon for RebeccasReads (6/08)

I always enjoy reading personal finance books - I often wish I had started reading them at a much younger age. Yet, I also remember thinking how dry and boring most of these appeared to be. However, Money Sucks, Money Strategies for Real Life (2nd Edition), written by Miryam Gordon is exactly the type of book I should have been reading. Although it is not a big book (only 74 pages) it does cover most of the important points that any young adult, just starting off in the financial world (and the real world, for that matter) must know.

This book is quite complete and explains crucial topics such as budgets, paying taxes, how to fill out your first tax forms (this is a great addition), banking, credit cards and debt (this is such a scary, yet often underestimated topic, especially for the up-and-coming generations) as well as savings and even understanding your credit score.

Written in a clear, concise and impartial way, this book can be used as a referral manual for any issues that may come up with respect to your financial wellness. One of the most important topics covered (and in my opinion one of the hardest to understand) is the creating and following of the budget. The author gives us detailed and yet simple ways of drawing up and living within a budget and even manages to make it all sound achievable (okay I can't say enjoyable - because, we are, after all talking about a budget here), but her advice will make it easier to live with.

Along with the valued financial information, there are also some interesting side bits. For example, Gordon details for us the history of paying taxes (The Boston Tea Party), the dos and don'ts of bankruptcy and even how credit card companies make money. While I was reading all of this I was thinking, `it seems I should know all of this! Why don't I?' It is my belief that many adults may be in my situation - thinking I have the basics down, but in reality, am in need of a serious refresher course. As with many things, I think I picked up my knowledge here and there and now need to figure out what is fact and what is fiction when it comes to my finances. This book has helped me do this - it has me questioning the habits that I have developed over the years and it has me looking at the validity of these habits.

The little cartoons at the beginning of each chapter are a nice touch and send the message that reading up on this topic does not have to be dry and serious all the time.

Although I probably would not recommend this book for people looking for high finance information (detailed investments or tax breaks), I would absolutely recommend this to any child who is old enough to start earning (and hopefully) saving money and to any adult who wants to go back to the beginning and put their financial building blocks securely (more securely?) in place.

"Money Sucks" is full of straightforward, practical tips for the financially clueless. While many older adults could learn from these financial tips - I didn't know I should be careful about giving my birthdate out to inquiring minds - the book is especially helpful for younger adults. Even 16-year-olds have checking accounts, debit cards, and borrow money from their parents for cars, vacations, and prom dates. Now they can learn why it's smart to balance your checkbook, keep track of receipts and due dates for bills, and to know the perils of runaway credit card use. It helps that the book is written with a splash of humor, some fun drawings, and is easy to read.

Identity theft is a huge problem today, and this book offers advice on how to monitor your credit rating, protect private information from getting into the wrong hands, and resist the lure of no interest/easy payment options for buying high-priced items. And who among us did not have trouble filling out our income tax withholding form at our first job? Even the other employees - and sometimes the managers - didn't know how to advise us on how to fill in the blanks. "Money Sucks" give you a step by step explanation so that you will never again have trouble choosing your options.

It's important to learn all you can before you leave the protection of your parents' home. 50 Ways to Leave Your Mother And I recommend that before you earn your first paycheck you read "Money Sucks" because someday the money you earn - and may lose - will be your own.

As the mother of seven children, I am thankful for this book! It is packed with the wisdom that every parent should instill in their child for life-long success - in a convenient, fun package!

Ms. Gordon's book should be a part of every high school's Economics curriculum and every family's library.

What initially drew me to this was the low-budget part. It turns out to be full of practical advice for anyone thinking of getting into making movies whether from the purely creative or the cold-hard-cash standpoint. Actually, this book makes an excellent point of connecting the money and the art especially in the field of filmmaking where the pursuit is hardly ever one-man or completely free of expense. This is not just about the low-budget film but about filmmaking in general discussed in a way you would discuss how to bake a lasagna. You realize that anyone can bake a lasagna. Whether or not anyone would eat it? That's another story.

This book is very readable - the author uses several anecdotes to engage the reader, and also provides lots of hard facts, and excellent suggestions. If you are planning a film - buy this book.

Planning The Low Budget Film by producer and production manager Robert Latham Brown draws upon the author's 30 years of experience to lay out the principles of solid film planning with strictly limited resources. Chapters discuss how to get into the low-budget film business, how to apply and adhere to a schedule, methods of calculating and keeping track of the budget. Of especial value is the meticulous step-by-step instructions for anyone who is brand new to the confusing world of financial recordkeeping. Written in down-to-earth, no-nonsense format, Planning The Low Budget Film is enthusiastically recommended for aspiring and professional film producers of all experience levels.

I found out about this book quite by accident on Wikipedia, as so many people rely on expensive computer budgeting programs now. I refuse to shell out more big cash on programs and books. The D.I.Y. film information industry has become so bloated, you could spend so much money on materials, you could've made a feature film instead of buying more books on HOW to do it. But this is a really good book from an actual teacher who knows how to communicate. It's a secret self-published book that I'm glad I stumbled upon. As word-of-mouth spreads, I imagine many more people will find out about it.

Anyway, now that the script is done five years later, I've been avoiding the idea of all this real work, hoping I could run a cute photo and a personal ad for a knight to ride in and save me. I didn't care if the knight was white or black or even abusive. But no dice. And since I have to do this anyway, I wanted to really learn the logic of how and why to break down and budget a script. It's a surprisingly easy read for such a dry subject and I'm carrying my copy around like a newly dog-eared pet, reading a little bit more each time. Good luck to both you and me!

Update: I broke down and not only had to buy a program (which I still can't figure out six months later--if only Scott Billups would write every manual!)--but I also took a pre-production class with Debbie Brubaker, the line producer. Man, she is rock n' roll.

If you are making your first legitimate movie where people besides your friends and family are depending on you not to screw up big time and you just searched Amazon for books on filmmaking and you need a no-nonsense step by step guide to help you through the behind the scenes process, this is the book for you!

I work with a comedy group in California, and we recently shot our first budgeted short film. As I am the most organized member of the group I was appointed the "Line Producer" and put in charge of making the whole thing come together on the back end. Coming from a theatre background, I knew what went into putting a stage performance together, but I was in the dark when it came to preparing for a film. After scouring Amazon (and a few other sites) this book seemed the most adequate to help me prepare for my job.

I've worked in film before, so a lot of the books I looked at about making a movie spend 2/3 of their volume explaining the difference between DV and Film and what a DP does, but I needed something that cut through that introductory fat, and would help prepare me for pre-production and detail exactly what went into pulling a film together.

This book is that book. It was my bible. It was glued to my side like Biff's Sports Almanac in Back to the Future 2.

Mr. Brown walks you through everything that goes into "making it happen." From breaking down the script into a functional shooting schedule to preparing an accurate budget to determing how far behind schedule you are to making sure there is a place for people to go to the bathroom, it's all in there. Additionally, the book even helped me to prepare for a lot of the basic legal and propreitary issues that we would encounter.

Brown also peppers the book with great anecdotes that help you avoid the pitfalls and roadblocks that he himself has encountered on large feature films like The Goonies. Yeah, The Goonies, you can't mess with someone who worked on The Goonies.

This book is essential. Bottom line. Read it. Love it. Use it.
Make well prepared movies.
Be a hero for your production.

I think that Mr. Kozak-Holland's book is perfect for any manager as well as IT management. Having had my own business I felt when I read this book that the advice applies not only to IT but can be offered as helpful hints and warnings to just about business, big or small. I am currently contracted in IT and often see the same re-occurring problems at all levels. Mr. Kozak-Holland's book should make us all look at our past downfalls and ensure we all learn from them. This book works well on many levels's being entertaining, insightful and a fun read for anyone interested in history.

I feel that Mr. Kozak-Holland's book is ideal for technical IT managers, and also for non-technical managers having to be involved with computing solutions.

A great analogy using the Titanic as an example of over-confidence in building, and running a ship. If you don't plan to avoid "IT Icebergs", then you will likely hit one....and then what happens?

A great read!

James.

Mark Kozak Holland has really put things into perspective in this book. I found it entertaining and insightful. I could not put this book down after I started reading it. It's a fun read, pragmatic and unique in it's reflection on the Titanic as a perfect example of lessons learned from the past. As a CIO, I can really understand the messages and guidance the author is providing. The tools and guidance on best practices and "questions to ask today" are great. Well done, I'm looking forward to Kozak-Hollands follow-on book.

Refreshing! Clear! This book is a breakthrough for non-techies who need to manage technology!!
This book does an excellent job helping CIOs and other 'C' level, P, VP, and Director executives understand some of the key issues in managing a technology project. From requirements, to project management, to build, to testing, to deployment; without a lot of tech-talk, Mark has captured the issues an executive needs to be aware of to help ensure their technology projects succeed.
As an architect, I am going to buy this for the executives that rule my life! It helps both sides of the organization (business, technology) understand more of each other's issues fostering a more educated communication between them.
I know this book would be of great value to many of those whom I have consulted. I am sending a copy to three of them!

Being a history buff, I was intrigued with a book that could link a historic non-IT project with modern so-called new wave online IT projects. I was not disappointed, it clearly demonstrated the more things change, the more they become the same. The flow was pragmatic, thorough and easy to follow. The language was geek free and informs the reader on what they should expect from their deliverables and why they are needed. More importantly why certain decisions are made and their overall impact on any project. In the end, the book clearly demonstrates, through the Titanic reference, that it is rarely a single decision that creates the failure but a series of smaller seemingly unrelated decisions that cause us to fail. Failing to plan does cause your plan to fail.

I would recommend this book to any NON-IT person, and any IT professional who is about undertake a project that does involve Information Technology.

In a few words, I can say that this book has already helped me tremendously by discovering second nature things PR professionals do. I'm 1/4 way through with it and I already love it !

Simply the best book out there on PR -- written for all walks of life. Having graduated with a degree in public relations and worked for the past decade in agency and corporate high-tech PR, with mixed experiences and mixed feelings about the industry, I now feel revived in my chosen career path after feasting on Mr. Saffir's book. Intriguing, down-to-earth and clearly written, Saffir's guide to utilizing proven public relations skills in any field or business -- indeed in life -- has already affected me deeply.

Mr. Saffir's does not mince words with numerous practical tips (Rule No. 1: Read, read, read!), entertains with many short stories, and ends with touching personal advice in the final two chapters. His parting stories include a moving PR drama he experienced with Filipino president Ferdinand Marcos, and a thrill-of-victory-agony-of-defeat attempt at pioneering a newspaper in New York City. Add Saffir's involvement with many U.S. presidents, senators and celebrities - all told in the humble spirit of PR lessons learned - and this could be a public relations memoir for the history books. But it's not. It sticks to its promise to the average man or women in business: here are proven strategies for getting noticed - free, cheap, and worth the money.

PR on a Budget is re-invigorating me in my career. It's a confidence booster like nothing I've experienced before. Having been asked recently to teach public relations to a group of small business owners, can you guess my text for the session? It was all PR on a Budget, of course. And don't take lightly Saffir's offer for personal advice and help. He was good on his promise. This man is for real.

This book could also be called something like: 'Everything you wanted to know about PR but didn't know whom to ask.'

The real secret to PR is that you need to establish a relationship between yourself and the media you'd like to tell the public something about you. As Mr. Saffir says, this doesn't need to be an out to lunch and drinks friendship. It's an understanding that you can help each other.

I do the PR for a series of non-profits under the auspicies of the local arts council. The various organizations do plays, choral concerts, children's theater, special arts shows and the like. We want people to know about the events we put on, otherwise noone comes. The local newspaper and radio stations have an equal need. To do their job, they need to tell people what's going on in our community.

After that understanding comes the work. I write up a press release, a story if you will talking about the play or whatever. I print out the story, I put it on a floppy disk (to save them the time of retyping), I take a few pictures and put them on the paper and on the disk.

This little book demystifies how businesses of any size can use similar techniques to work with the media they'd like to give them some ink.

One last comment. Sometimes the media will make a mistake. DON'T COMPLAIN! You never want to argue with someone who buys ink in 55 gallon drums. It was your fault, not theirs.

In his latest book, PR legend Leonard Saffir shatters the well-worn myth that big PR firms deliver superior services to small PR firms. He gives practical and effective information and absolutely levels the playing field for small business on a PR budget. He explains the importance of mastering the "New PR," and clearly explains how to put this new discipline to work in conducting a full-fledged PR campaign -- even if you're not a professional PR consultant.

And, if you'd prefer not to do-it-yourself and hire a PR agency instead, Saffir leads you safely through the minefield of choices. Leonard Saffir excels at showing small business owners who value PR how to stay ahead of their competition whether they conduct their own PR campaign, or hire a pro to do the job.

I have over 10 years of media relations experience and have read hundreds of books and articles that have attempted to summarize (for business owners) the effectiveness of PR. For the first time I've actually found a PR book I'd send to clients, prospects and fellow PR practitioners! Leonard Saffir's "PR on a Budget" does an excellent job providing a 'behind the scenes' look at how to effectively leverage PR and more important (and challenging) - the media. One of the reasons Saffir's book hit home with me was his ability to address the new tactics necessary to break through the clutter created by many businesses jumping into the PR arena. If you're not there or just starting be sure and pick up this book...it's a necessity!

Paul Letourneau will definately save you money. Read his book, it works. Without his book you are throwing away money at the grocery store.

This is what every household in America needs. I couldn't believe how much money I could save by using Mr. Letourneau's tips. And the book was so easy to read, so well-written! Go get yourself a copy now!

I found this to be an extremely informative book and can't believe I survived the stores without it!!!! Being a single female and having a master's degree in accounting, I am surprised how easy it is to save money. Hurrah for Paul R Letourneau!!!!

Paul Letourneau will definately save you money. Read his book, it works. Without his book you are throwing away money at the grocery store.

All housewifes should have this book! We might think we know it all, but Paul Letourneau's informative booklet will double your savings with his "insider knowledge". With 3 children I need all the help I can get. It's a MUST READ!