Bennett Books

I particularly like the checklists of what subjects are appropriate and customary at the various grade levels. It is a lot clearer and more interesting reading than the state standards our kids' school hands out, which are written in educator-ese. If you are interested in your kids' education then you should be interested in this book.

The authors make the case for parent involvement by providing a clear picture of America's public school system. Without providing a blanket criticism of all schools and teachers, parents are reminded that only they can make sure their children receive the education they need to become successful citizens. By listing curriculum objectives by grade level they empower parents to ask questions about what their child is learning. Suggestions for working within the system - and within the family to supplement the system - are provided. Every parent should be this involved.

This book is so good I can't do it justice! As a teacher, I wish all my students' parents had read this. As a parent, I feel confident about the decisions I've made and will make, knowing I have informed, sound advice from such a worthy author. So many problems in education would be solved by teachers and parents reading and implementing what the authors recommend. This book helps parents understand what they should do and why to insure their child has the opportunity to get an excellent education. Money, or the lack thereof, is no excuse for ignorance. This is America and every child is offered a decent education until they are 18, unlike most countries. It is the responsibility of the child to work and earn an education and the parents to monitor them. Among other things, there are great suggestions about TV, not overwhelming your child with toys, specific books for your child, extensive resources for a wide variety of parenting needs, including homeschool, and even tips to help evaluate "expert opinions" and school curriculum. Parents should teach manners at home, self-esteem comes from accomplishing something worthwhile, and if schools spend time teaching those, it takes away time that should be spent teaching academic subjects. These ideas seem like common sense, but popular culture has introduced some bizarre and counterproductive ideas on child-rearing and education in the past 20 years. The tone of the book is empowering, not judgmental, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is involved in educating a child.

This book provides a good overview of what children should learn year by year, subject by subject, and how parents can help them achieve their educational goals. One reviewer complained that the authors overemphasized the importance of limiting T.V., and reading to kids, but I am a teacher and can tell you that many parents don't bother to take those basic but crucial steps with their kids. The authors offer a good analysis of the problems with public education today (which both parents and schools can contribute to), but their main solution to the problems of the educational system is standardized testing. As a teacher in Texas, where high-stakes testing rules the public school system, I have learned that placing such overwhelming emphasis on an annual test does not raise the standards of students' educations; it has actually caused too many schools to teach to the test, cheat, and neglect the needs of gifted students in order to prep the slower ones for the tests.

I purchased this book to help me with ideas for homeschooling my children. This book is the longest in my collection but it is the least informative. The first 100 pages or so deride the current efforts of public schools, yet offer little advice except "turn off the television" and "read to your children". The most interesting and helpful information in the book was taken directly from the Core Curriculum Series, which is a useful resource for parents who want to ensure that their child is receiving a good education. This book is preachy and redundant.

I was really happy with my purchase. It was affordable, in good condition and brought to me in a timely manner.

Please do not rate unless you have read the entire review. If you like the book, fine, but don't give this review a negative rating for that reason. I do recommend better books in this review and also recommend this one as an exceptionally pedestrian introduction to the genre of personal fictions of life in China, which for the novice reader is just fine (but reading the early short stories of Pearl S. Buck would be a far better introduction and more productive use of time for the reader new to this genre).

However, I am an avid reader of contemporary Asian fiction in translation, so perhaps this book looked imitative to me as I was not fresh to the genre; however, I see there have been two kinds of responses to the book -- people who found the stories fresh and literate readers who found them tedious for a variety of reasons.

I had been looking forward to reading the book and it arrived the day after the news that Ms. Chang had been selected to take over the prestigious chair, vacated by the lamentably late and very delightful Irishman Frank Conroy, as head of the Iowa Writer's Workshop. I rushed to read it with great expectations and was surprised to find the stories disturbingly imitative of those of other Asian American writers -- not fresh, but as if Ms. Chang had read and absorbed the experiences of others who had already written them with far more depth and evocative feeling.

My first response in reading the last story in the book (probably an early one of hers) was, "Rule #1: write what you know," as the story came off as an attempt to retell others' stories with what she imagined their feelings to be, but with little insight into the characters; a pre-digested version of better-related tales of life in China.

My second response was, "Egad! This woman is leading a Writer's Workshop, I mean THE Writer's Workshop, and she doesn't have even the rudiments of using a comma down, doesn't know the difference between a restrictive and a non-restrictive clause?" Since Ms. Chang is American-born and a graduate of the University of Iowa, the basics of punctuation are not too much to expect. The number of flaws in the punctuation not only disturbed the flow of the writing but, in some cases, even interfered with the meaning of sentences. Picky picky, I know, but these went far beyond "poetic license:" they were errors in the most basic punctuation of compound and complex sentences. Many of these errors were avoided by her liberal use of simple sentences throughout, but when she ventured beyond the simple sentence, even to those with an introductory adverbial phrase of time, the lack of control/ability to use the simplest agreed-upon standards of punctuation was frightening. It was a lack of control, not an intentional use of punctuation for effect, as it did interfere with both flow and meaning.

Putting the obvious punctuation flaws aside, I still can't say I liked it. I'm not wild about the work of Amy Tan, overly prosaic next to the mastery in the works of Maxine Hong Kingston and Timothy Mo, but next to Ms. Chang's work, Ms. Tan's is elevated to the sublime, losing any prosaic quality I might have ascribed to it. Ms. Tan's work is excellent for communicating the Asian-American experience and family dynamics to the general reader in a narrative style, while that of Timothy Mo and Maxine Kingston speak more to those who have had the opportunity to experience "Chinese Culture" first-hand and in context, as they contain many esoteric or metaphorical references to Chinese mythology, history, and culture.

I have to recommend to all the work of Maxine Kong Kingston as deeply understood and (assimilated?? transmuted?? combined?? stewed???? -- can't get the word at the moment) communicated fables of her family tales in China Men and Warrior Woman, integrating also with them the fables and tales of China, and then, in writing what she knows (rule #1) as a Chinese American, the fabulous journey of spirit and experience in Monkey King (not to be confused with Timothy Mo's wonderful The Monkey King), all of which shift back and forth between the world of fable and reality, as in traditional Chinese literature -- and all of which stand up to repeated readings.

Back to Ms. Chang: I am embarrassed for Iowa University in this selection, but in fairness must say that she may have been selected because she may well be a tremendous teacher who will find her niche in helping others to find their voices; she, however, is still in search of her own. I would suggest that, as preparation for her new position, she sit down and give a good focused read to Eats Shoots and Leaves or Eats, Shoots, and Leaves.

I have to add that, since the purpose of reviews here is to sell books, I rarely post a negative review. This one was screaming for a shout out, and in the spirit of positive reviews, check out the Eats Shoots and Leaves
Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation;

Eats, Shoots & Leaves Illustrated Edition
books by Lynne Truss, for gradeschoolers through adults.

The ones that graphically illustrate the unintended meanings that come about through imprecise use of English
Eats, Shoots & Leaves: Why, Commas Really Do Make a Difference!
are ones that will start children on the road of enjoying all that is meant by "English usage."

With that, I leave you with a visual that has stayed with me since childhood and my introduction to the world of bloopers: "Never break bread or roll in your soup." Indeed.

This is by all means one of the few most beautiful and crafted I have come across in a while. The rich and quiet style of Chang's prose draws the reader deeply into an place where constrained madness leads to an isolated sorrow. Brilliant in its sweet and inevitable sadness.

I read HUNGER and was moved and amazed with the intricate detail of the thoughts and feelings of the subjects in the collection of short novella's.
The thoughts and inner feelings of the subjects were so brilliantly described I felt as though I could feel and understand just like any one of them.
The book is excellent and I recommend it to anyone!

Lan Samantha Chang touched me with her profound stories in Hunger. The characters in this collection are starving for love, success and respect and said hungers manifest themselves in thought-provoking, dark dilemmas and endless sorrow. My favorite stories are "Water Names," "Pipa's Story," and "The Unforgetting." But it is the novella and book title that touched me the most. The story of a struggling violinist and how his failure affects his family enthralled me from beginning to end. Their problems as Chinese immigrants made the novella all the more compelling. Chang writes with beautiful, flawless prose and hers is a talent that transcends all genders. Her work reminds me of Banana Yoshimoto in that she, too, transmits the characters' emotions flawlessly. If you're in the bargain for thought-provoking short stories and novellas, I recommend Hunger most highly.

"Medieval Europe - A Short History" by Charles Warren Hollister, © 1990, 1982, 1978, 1974, 1968, 1964.

This book is an amazing little textbook. I was pleased to read the explanation of the growth and development of modern European nations. The most surprising part is the growth of civilization throughout the time we were taught were the Dark Ages. Something that is slurred across in most history classes is the age of Charlemagne, about 400 common era (c.e.) to about 900 or 950 c.e. I guess that it is not talked about because not much happened but invasions by Vandals or Attila or Saxons, but there were farms and communities developing (this is the era that beget villains from villagers). There was starvation, missionary work, development of monasteries and convents, etc. This book explained all this and more, making it a lot more interesting just by what it included.
There are not a lot of footnotes because this is a survey book, not a scholarly one. What is written about is well known and accepted as undisputed, so the footnotes would be unnecessary. He does have extensive bibliographies between sections for additional reading for concentrating on those issues or subjects. He does use footnotes to direct the reader to where he discusses the person or place otherwise, and to chide himself for errors he corrects. It is also very good that he explains where some of the names come from: Charlemagne or Plantagenet or Louis for example.
All in all, a really enjoyable book to read.

I used this book in an introductory medieval history class. The narrative in offered by this book is straightforward, coherent, and for the most part, an easy read. The chapters have clearly defined themes and chronologies, and the authors do a good job exploring many issues, events, figures, and concepts of the medieval ages.

At times it was difficult to keep track of all the various names, as many medieval figures shared similar names. I felt the authors could have done a better job laying out more distinct biographies of some of the figures.

There were also times when I had to reread parts because I lost interest due to the tendency of the book to devolve into a simple reiteration of events, ie: The church did this, then certain kings responded in this manner, which caused this event. Whether this is the fault of the writers, something endemic to the material, or my own indolence is debatable, but I still feel the book would benefit with some more color/vibrant writing.

Overall, I found it useful in my studies because it offered coherent organization (making content easily accessible), and it was an easy read (for the most part.)

This book is a great overview of medieval Europe. It is packed with information and is a dense read, but worth it.

I bought this to take on a trip around Western Europe. Mr. Hollister has excellent prose. Normally, history books are written in a convoluted style which is indecipherable and dry. Medieval Europe however, is infinitely readable and a great resource. It was a pleasure to read. I will definitely look for more of Mr. Hollister's work and would welcome the recommendation of other works by good history authors.

I am a graduate student who has recently begun teaching first-year undergrads. The Hollister and Bennett book is the main text book for a Medieval Period General course, and the students use it to supplement their core readings. The textbook, a general synthesis of the history of Western Europe, is decent and fairly comprehensive, written and updated by experts in the field. However, it has been a long time since I've read a general textbook, and found the lack of footnote references a bit unnerving. The book does, however, provide lists for further reading at the end of each chapter, but these are very selective.

I don't care how good your trading method may be, if it does not incorporate a sound money management system your are sure to fail in the trading arena. This book lays out step by step how to create and implement a rock solid money management system to fit your trading method that will ensure your success as a Trader.

I am a veteran of over 30 years of hands-on trading and a former member of many exchanges, NYSE, ASE etc

Even though I have been a successful trader I have always had a problem exposing myself to too much risk and undue stress.

In this book the dedicated reader will gain useful insight into the only secret on Wall Street and that is money management.

A Trader's Money Management System by Bennett McDowell is a book well worth the time for anyone who is serious about becoming a "successful" trader. Money Management is of utmost importance if a trader is to become successful. Learning and applying proper money management will keep traders "in the game", thereby, giving themselves a chance to become profitable and successful. The author, Bennett McDowell, thoroughly covers the subject of money management and does so in a way to make it easily understood by anyone. He will help keep you "in the game." Some things he covers are the "why" of money management, rules, strategies, risk control, and record keeping. The concepts are straightforward and clearly explained. It is a "must" book that I will always refer to and keep in my trading arsenal.

A very clearly written and readable text on the #1 topic for success as a trader. The book offers valuable advice on crafting a money management system tailored to your individual style and needs. In my opinion, one of the best books out there on this hugely important topic. What sets it apart is it's readability. This will be a book I come back to a lot, I am sure.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RHJ41D0Z1V960 One of the few books out there that focuses completely on one of the most important, yet often overlooked aspects of trading, money management. Where other books tend to devote only a chapter or two on money management, Author Bennett McDowell devotes his entire 170 page book to the topic. Here you will find answers to some of the most important questions in trading such as why money management is so important yet often overlooked, the psychology of money management, strategies for placing stop losses, how to scale into and out of trades, and how to correctly size positions. Also included are sections on record keeping and how to analyze profits and losses, complete with record keeping documents that can be photocopied directly from the book.

Arrived on time, exactly what I asked for, great condition, no problems. I would definitely order again!

This book, not surprisingly as a Cecil's line book, is wonderful.The material is great, the figures are rich, well printed and make even more easier to comprehend what is written. The texts are very comprehensive, the subdivisions inside the book and the colorful appearance make it very practical, easy and fast to consult. I find all the answers i'm looking for, in an "uptodated" manner, based on reliable and recent articles published even at 2007, making me feel that I have reliable information and the newest scientific knowledge available in the world. I feel it is what i used to need as my Clinical medicine book. I received it in the 18th business day after my purchase, that means exactly inside the period of time i was told by "Amazon.com".

I have had several editions of "Cecil- Textbook of Medicine" over many years. They remain, for those of us who still do like books more than E-information, wonderful learning experiences.
This current edition seems carefully edited, a very attractive textbook with multiple colors now, and even the print may be a bit bigger in this new one.
I do think the general internal medicine coverage is extremely well organized and quite complete.
(This Expert premium edition has the on-line version as well, so then one has it all)!
I think it is still the book to beat for busy practitioners in all forms of primary care, as well as medical students.

When I bought this book I was looking for the most updated and complete Internal Medicine book available to use as a base for my training (to check 1 or 2 chapters a day besides my daily clinical duties). And it is probably is at this time. I had the opportunity to read some chapters from the previous edition and I liked the style and I thought it was easy reading. So when the new edition came, I gave it all my confidence.
So far, the clinical information is as expected for this type of books. It is a good general resource. It won't help you to resolve the day to day clinical questions and scenarios for particular patients. However for someone looking to have a good base of IM I would say it is enough.
The major drawbacks of this book is probably its editorial policies. The quality of the paper is still very cheap for the price. The enhanced online edition is the same as the cheaper edition, but just with the supposed benefit of getting updates. What is more irritating is that I invested more money expecting full usability with a supposed enhanced online features and I am having the same inconvenient that using the free access through MDconsult in my campus. If you enjoy printing 1 or 2 chapters for reading and if you try to avoid carrying the heavy weight paper book, await for the new Harrison or go for the ACP medicine. Both of them have a simpler tools for printing chapters with just 1 click (ACP medicine even allow you to print in PDF format). I have a hard time printing chapters, cause you have to print almost page by page, and often you will see how the online format of this book will make you use 1 page for a single paragraph or even 1-2 lines. What a waste of time and paper!
This book might be a good clinical resource but there are a lot of other options out there that give you more for your money. That's the beauty of the competence!
If you ask me if I will buy other cecils edition or elsevier product, I would say: no, nor in my worst nightmares! I just don't trust them anymore. I wish I had more information available about the features of the online version. I would have saved my money and my time.

The new Cecil (23rd edition) set a new high standard for an Internal Medicine Textbook. Up until now Harrison has been my standard textbook but with the 23rd Cecil, I have to say:" Hasta la vista, Harrison" . I have been using it for the past few weeks and I must say I am very impressed.

The quality of printing is superb; the book is filled with color figures, useful algorithms (better than UptoDate's), beautifical clinical pictures, and highly intelligent use of color text. Of course, the authors of such an important textbook are the Who's who in medicine, but the style of writing is not as condescending as Harrison's. The therapy section of each disorder is also highly practical and highly current. The use of the principle of evidence based medicine and the incorporation of treatment guidelines made this textbook highly modern. Even psychosocial oriented practitioners will enjoy the psychiatry chapter in this book: the discussion of psychopharmacology of various disorders is deep without being long-winded.

I have been using Medstudy for my board recertification, but now I am spending more time flipping through Cecil than any other Internal Medicine books. For day to day use in the clinic, UptoDate is slightly more up-to-date. But for learning and studying, Cecil is much more practical and it is an extremely good-buy. I just love those algorithms.

Drs. Goldman and Ausiello, thank you for your wonderful book. And now Harrison's editors have to try to play catch up with your excellant work. Residents will soon be quoting from Cecil's rather than Harrison's in morning round as the ultimate authority in Internal Medicine.

although i liked the setting - and the plot & characters were good, they writing style made it difficult for me to get through this book. it seemed to general where more detail was needed, too much detail where i wasn't interested and in general i put the book down after every few pages, chapters - where is this going, why is he telling me this...it was just difficult to get through. on the whole the story is good, but it wasn't fun to read.

I read this book over two years ago, and I still think of it often. The story is spellbinding, and I was introduced to Africa and the Congo. It may be my personal favorite.

The Catastrophist is a very good read--highly recommended. It is a thinking person's page turner. Bennett has worked hard not to trivialize the suffering during a dark page in history by overlaying a love story. One feels that he honours history while using it to show the difficulties/intrigue between the personal and political.

If you liked this book, then try to get a copy of Overthrown By Strangers. It is an amazing book--gritty and on the edge. He "pulls no punches" as you ride through the underbelly of politics in Peru and Ireland which moves to California and Central America. Somehow the interception of the stories really works to create a provocative, fast-paced book. It contains the dark humour you found in The Catastrophist as well. Though there is a roughness to it, personally, I think it is his best and shows the depth of thought and feeling this writer possesses.

I read this novel when it was released. It stayed with me like almost no other novel ever has, hence my decision to review it. Simply put, it was excellent. Ronan Bennett told his story with sensitivity for the political climate, and a keen insight into human relationships. I echo the sentiments of another reviewer in that this is a thinking person's novel. Bennett's writing style is awesome. Those not interested in the content but partial to spectacular penmanship should still read this novel. They will not be disappointed.

On June 30, 1960, the Congo was emancipated from Belgium. African nationalist leader Patrice Emery Lumumba became the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo when it declared its independence - the long awaited "Depanda" had arrived! In October 1958 Lumumba had founded the Congolese National Movement (Mouvement National Congolais; MNC), the first nationwide Congolese political party. Forced out of office during a period of violent political upheaval in September 1960, he was assassinated in January 1961.

During the Congo's turbulent beginning many countries intervened in its political affairs. "They used: fear of communism, economic collapse, civil war, and protection of European citizens living in the Congo to back themselves for intervening." And the expatriate community, living in luxury, sipping sundowners at poolside, did not appreciate their world, their comfortable lives slipping out of their control.

At the time, the Congo was the biggest and richest country in central Africa, one with huge strategic importance - not only to the Belgians, but to the US. Katanga Province, the size of Britain, remains one of the richest areas in all Africa if not the richest. "The mines of the Union Miniere and Forminiere provided the world with eight per cent of its copper, sixty per cent of its uranium, seventy-three per cent of its cobalt, eighty per cent of its industrial diamonds. Katanga has gold, silver, tin, zinc, manganese, columbium, cadmium, tungsten, tantalum: its supplies will never be exhausted." This was the land of Unilever, Brufina, Union Miniere and the Banque Empain, companies which were not about to let their holdings slip away easily.

Into this tumultuous, politically charged setting wanders James Gillespie, a disaffected Irish/English writer, author of a few well received novels and a contributor to various periodicals. He arrives in Leopoldsville with the intent of pursuing a waning relationship with Ines Sabiani, his fiery, radical Italian girlfriend with whom he is deeply in love. Gillespie's arrival in the Congo represents a major emotional commitment for him. Ines is a journalist with her country's communist newspaper L'Unita. She is as passionate about the cause of Independence and about the charismatic leader, Lumumba, as James is indifferent, or as he would say, "objective." And he is a skeptic, a pessimist. Part of the problem between the two lovers is that James is never on anyone's side. He insists, "I see all sides. My craft demands it." He is against intolerance, dogma, illiberalism. But he is for nothing. In?s invests herself emotionally as well as professionally in that which she believes. Her affair with James is doomed before Gillespie sets foot on African soil - just as Patrice Lumumba's government is doomed before he takes office. At one point In?s tells Gillespie that, "Dante wrote that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crises maintain their neutrality." She accuses him of being a "catastrofista," a "catastrophist," one who believes "that no problem is small. Nothing can be fixed; it is always the end."

As James becomes caught up in the historical movement, colonial injustice and the chaotic brutality that accompanies it, he is finally forced to take sides...and action.

Although well written, I did have some difficulty with author Ronan Bennett's style. It made for ponderous reading at times. I am fascinated by this period in Africa, especially the politics, and by the character of Patrice Lumumba in particular, so I had personal incentive to persevere. "The Catastrophist" reminds me of Graham Greene's "The Quiet American." Both novels deal with the chaotic end of colonialism, have journalists as protagonists and idealistic, if Machiavellian, CIA operatives fomenting intrigue and even more violence. The colonialists in both novels, the Belgians here, the French in Vietnam in Greene's work, act paternalistically and condescendingly towards the "natives" and don't really take the independence movements seriously.

"The Catastrophist was short-listed for the 1998 Whitbread Novel Award.
JANA

When selling, it is easy to fall into the trap of talking price or comparing yourself to your competitors. The Quest for Value illustrates how you can quantify delivering value to your clients. Listen to their needs and use your product or service to deliver a solution for those needs. You can use EVA as a method to define the solution for your customers by quantifying the benefit. You will earn your client's respect without having to lower price or fall into roadblocks set by your competitors.

In not possessing a Finance or Accounting background, I have found it extrememly difficult to find a book that can guide me from the very basics of corporate valuation through to the complexities inevitable in any such subject.

However I would urge any potential customer (either financially astute or a beginner like myself) who is genuinely interested in Value, to look no further than "The Quest for Value".

The key resides in the style (fully informative yet at times conversational / humorous), the content (rich in depth and explanation) and finally the extensive case studies and "war stories" that bring Valuation fully to life.

You dont have to be an accountant or corporate finance practioner to understand and apply the fundamental principles of EVA - in fact as the author sometimes alludes to, not possessing this background is perhaps a distinct advantage.

Investing in this Quest with Stern Stewart as my guide has helped me enormously.

In not possessing a Finance or Accounting background, I have found it extrememly difficult to find a book that can guide me from the very basics of corporate valuation through to the complexities inevitable in any such subject.

However I would urge any potential customer (either financially astute or a beginner like myself) who is genuinely interested in Value, to look no further than "The Quest for Value".

The key resides in the style (fully informative yet at times conversational / humuorous), the content (rich in depth and explanation) and finally the extensive case studies and "war stories" that bring Valuation fully to life.

You dont have to be an accountant or corporate finance practioner to understand and apply the fundamental principles of EVA - in fact as the author sometimes alludes to, not possessing this background is perhaps a distinct advantage.

Investing in this Quest with Stern Stewart as my guide has helped me enormously.

Many of the concepts in this book have been described and used by successful investors such as Graham in the 30s, Buffett's adaptation of Graham's ideas in the 70s and 80s, and the more recent breed of Intrinsic Value-driven investors who garner wide respect today. New terms are introduced with great fanfare when they often are simple rearrangements of well-known formulas (taking the inverse of a ratio somehow gives you a radically new insight?). It seemed to me that the major contribution of the author is a new set of acronyms.

Claims about how failing companies turned around into successes because they adopted EVA are not sufficiently supported. Those turnarounds could have happened for any of many other reasons. The claims would be believable if they were well supported with facts and deeper analysis. As they are, they detract from the overall quality of the book and raise questions about other claims made in it. At times the author's tone is condescending, as if we can all assume his statements don't need proof!!

The book could function as a fair reference but as most other reviewers have noted, there is no index, and the table of contents is about half a page! This is particularly difficult because the discussions of important concepts are somewhat spread about in the book.

On the positive side, the author's focus on return on capital is good and the reasoning well stated and easy to understand. By the same token, his discussions of what provides true value to the investor (and business manager) is good. But these are not very original. Either the book should have been about one-fourth as long, or the examples the author used to justify EVA should have been much more thoroughly developed.

After getting my MBA 1995, I have read so many books discussing about value and investment, I recommend, however, that The Quest For Value is the one you must read. The reasons:

First, few books put the two topics (value, investment) in one theoretical system. Even the books or articles about "value investment" can be separated into two categories: these about "investment art", talking about, or written by investment experts (who's names on the Money Master and New Money Master); the other about the "valuation scientific methods". People talked about value investment ideas by totally separated way, the art, or the science.

Second, too many books discuss value investment by this way: "it is the one... (maybe earning, or cash flow, or working capital,) but..., or, if....,". So the investor become a boxer, who need professional speed and energy to quickly switch his positions and punch among the keep coming "but", "if" from either accounting or reality. Contrary to my boxer's inspiration, my best friend in business school told me: "Warren Buffett must have one secret point he never told anybody". I think the secret he means is what is "one dollar", and what is "forty cents", if buy low sell high is the plan. Haven't our two foolish business school students told you everything about the "modern" market efficiency and inefficiency theories?! I know value investment masters will feel sad for this kind of coming value investment young villagers. Anyway, besides the "professional strong" and the "superstition power" from the point of ours, is there a rational point to support the leverage of investment art.

The third, value investment is always about two aspects: the business and the management. From Fillip Fish's buy and hold sticky strategy to Peter Lnych's traveling and talking around the world, to Warren Buffet's appreciation: "he (the CEO) is this kind of person, you can marry your daughter to him", investment is about to invest, or to marry with, the management team. But, we need the handsome's picture.

The Fourth, what kind of morality standards fits Wall Street's social position. Probably, people don't have time to talk about good or bad, when the regulation of a game is win or loss. However, if you are playing NBA, your morality, personality, even image are kind of money at least, aren't they? Even you just doing exercise in your backyard, at least don't forget another possibility: win-win.

If you have this kind of questions, you must read this book. The author's capital efficiency view and five categories of business accordingly put the "value" and the "investment" two topics into one system to discuss.

And, The Economic Value Added (EVA) investment method is independent from the any accounting system. The accounting system as a standard record of business activities is only an object of study, criticize or judgment for investment decision but not a constriction of decision mine field. Contrary to "but" "if" talking, this book puts everything on this way: it is the one (EVA), so you should....

Additionally, to look for a good management maybe, for investor, can become to create of good management teams. This topic you can read EVA and Value-Based Management by Mr. Young and O'Byrne for further study.

Finally, the meaning of investment probably is not just NBA's win or loss. It is about to add or to damage (or even worse, to steal maybe) the social wealth according to EVA theory.

Interesting? Plus the author's good logic and good case study! The only lack of this book to me is that the Capitan Case only has one. After finishing the Capitan Case at the end of the book, I wish there were other four cases for the other four categories of business accordingly (If you know where I can read that, please let me know...).

There already been so many, so different opinions about this book on this site. While, if investment is art, according to Peter Lynch, or is a project, according to Charles Ellis, then any theory or method is just a kind of tool or weapon. So it will depend on the person, so it will depend on everything. I myself start the second reading after the first. I am going back to Main China pretty soon to do Investment Banking business, probably focus on LBO, and I will keep reading this book, talking about this book, and trying to imply this book. I think that I owe amzon.com a customer's view since I have got so much helps from others' views, so I recommend this book to you: If you have been so patient to read my view to here, you need read that book. Good Luck :)

This is a great story to read for anyone who had teachers that challenged them to think differently. It makes the reader think about the role education should play.

The award-winning play by Alan Bennett is a great read. More devoted to the influence of words (the "dictionary" boy role of Posner) and music than the later screenplay, the play emphasizes the differing perspectives on education of the two lead teachers (Hector and Irwin). Without the need to "open up" demanded by film Bennett focuses on the schoolroom and uses subtle effects to effect his dramatic purpose. In doing so he is successful in creating a delightful dramatic and comedic portrayal of ideas, all while evoking the spirit of bright young scholars at a key turning point in their lives.

A very entertaining play, with solid characters & plenty of humor. Read it, you'll like it!

Has more than a passing ressemblance to Michael Campbell's Lord Dismiss Us (Chigago University Press 1967). It is equally as funny. For once, the play and DVD does not ignore what is in fact every schoolboy's favourite pastime.

Disclaimer: I am reviewing the original script and have never seen the play. I would LOVE to see the play, because at times the script was confusing. For instance, characters who are not in the scene suddenly have lines. And then, just when you think they've entered stage left, you see that they're not there after all, and therefore must have lines upstage left so the audience can hear their thoughts. You can't be sure, however, as Bennett is chary about his stage directions.

Despite all that, the play was fun to read if only for its rich use of literary allusions. It is burgeoning with quotes from A.E. Housman, Thomas Hardy, Philip Larkin, Walt Whitman, and other poets flung far and wide. The literary banter comes chiefly in the presence of the English professor called Hector. Then, so as not to disappoint those attracted by the title, there are numerous scholarly discussions about history (chiefly WWI and WWII). Professor Irwin is the vehicle for much of THIS discussion, and his unique take on how we should view the past is part of what makes this play admirable. So, if you are (or were) the type who loves (or loved) all those late-night intellectual discussions in the college dormitory, you might find wheat among the chaff of this play.

Speaking of, what worked less than the sterling intellectual wordplay (and idea play, if you will) was the soap opera aspect. Hector, for instance, has a penchant for more than just educating boys and he comes off as more pitiable than pitiful. Irwin, too, though much more respectable, gets sucked in to the melodrama by, of all characters, the most handsome blade among the boys (Dakin, who was last seen seducing the headmaster's secretary before he decided to proposition his professor). It all pushes the envelope and gets a bit unbelievable, at least in written form, as the characters act and speak in ways that do not follow character OR seem to change without sufficient time elapsed to make the behavior reasonable. The beneficiary of all this is the female professor, Mrs. Lintott, who alone comes off as intelligent, reasonable, and clear-thinkingly free of that pesky testosterone. Bottom line: I liked the play but had trouble suspending my disbelief to accommodate all of the sexual intrigue.

When is the MIni Sears going to be out on DVD? this is perhaps one of the best animated SCI-FI series THE BOOK IS AWSOME READ IT when it was on KIDS WB in the Q4 of 98 i couldnt wati to watch it, it is full of suspence but it is not aired anymore.

Absolutely fabulous! A must for sci-fi fans!

I got this book as soon as it hit the shelfs, but, even though I found it to be very good, I didn't like the way some of it was worded. Also, some of it was changed. Although I would have loved to give it the 5 stars it should get, I don't like the way it left you hanging at the end. Instead of On The Run, there should have been a continuation of the first book. I don't care who says it, On The Run is not the continuation of Invasion America (The first book). But by now I'm not expecting a second to the book or the TV show(Which should be on tape by now!).

I had watched the T.V. show before I even knew about this book and it's to-be sequal. I really enjoyed the book, because it was MORE in detail. Me being a teenager myself, I felt a lot of the same emotion as the main character did when he found out about his past. This is one great book! (sorry if there is any bad spelling!)

I have the SEASON 1 VCD avail if anyone is interested LMK - dart-sales@sbcglobal.net

Sure wish season 2 would be released!!

I like the book and think it is a good resource, but it didn't all of a sudden help my son to go poop in the potty. Would I recommend it, yes! It is definitely worth a try if your child is having potty training issues. But don't necessarily expect it to be the perfect cure.

It Hurts When I Poop!: A Story for Children Who Are Scared to Use the Potty I was reaching the end of my rope. Just when I thought soiled underwear was behind us forever, my 5 year old daughter started refusing to go poop. I would catch her clenching to keep it in. When I asked her why she said it was because it hurt to go. What a nightmare! She got more and more backed up until it started leaking out into her underwear. I started to worry she was going to have to undergo some horrible, embarrassing, emotionally scarring procedure at the Dr. office. I tried begging, I tried bribing, I tried explaining. I tried fiber chews, I tried to get her to take laxatives. I tried to sneak laxatives into her food (unsuccessfully) still she refused. Desperate, I scoured the web and found this wonderful, wonderful book. We read it as soon as we got it and she loved it. I never would have believed it, and I hadn't really held out much hope, but almost right away she was going in the potty and eating "soft poop" foods. She still wants to hear the story almost every night. It's been nearly a month and (knock on wood) no more poopy pants! If your child has a pooping problem you HAVE to try this book!

This is my first every review on Amazon.com. I have never felt compelled to write a review until now. I bought this book for my son (3 1/2) who has had chronic constipation due to withholding (stool retention) for close to a year. This book really helped him release his fear of pooping and understand that pooping is a normal bodily function. I read this book to him and he had his first poop in the potty the next day. Now, granted, we were doing many other interventions (dietary and behavioral) along with reading this that I believe helped him overcome his fear of pooping, but this book was a MAJOR help. Thank you, thank you!

This book was an absolute God send ! After about a year we finally have no more stool witholding, potty dancing and agonizing screams when it is time for our little girl to poop. Thank God and the author of this book.
Our daughter could relate so well to Ryan that she wanted us to read the book over and over again and she started pooping without fear.
We do still use Milk of Magnesia every other day as a stool softer.
(Check with your childs Doctor before using any medicine)
Our pediatrician was not helpful at all with the functional constipation
and treated me like I was neurotic. It is heart breaking to watch your
child go through this and feel powerless to help. Buy the book you will
not regret it !!

I'm 31 years old and have been afraid of pooping my whole life. Now after reading this book I go six or seven times a day, usually laughing joyously throughout the entire experience.