Burke Books

This is just one of those books that I didn't want to end. From the moment I opened the book, I couldn't put it down.

The author made me understand what had hardened Butta into the woman she became, yet there were passages in which her empathatic and caring nature were made obvious in her concern for her trusted circle of friends. He made me hate Lingo Stein for his bigoted injustices and greed; I cheered Butta on toward the end, and was elated for Butta when I read the ending. Yet saddened too that it was over, at least for me, for now. :(

I can't wait til December for the sequel!!!

WOW!! That's how I feel about this book. Mr. Burkes certainly left me wanting more. I have to admit I bought this book almost a year ago and never really even looked at it. Saw it on my bookshelf TWO (2) days ago and pick it up and could not put it down. The story was so captivating and interesting, that I started calling up friends to tell them they should purchase the book. It took me about 2 days to read it, but if I had the uninterrupted time, I would have finished it in 1. I am now looking forward to getting The Shysters Club and ALONE. I am also going to start bugging all of my friends and family to get this book. Excellent job Mr. Burkes!! Keep them coming!! And PLEASE follow-up on the Butta/Munch/Trigger/Kasey storyline.

Butta' witnessed the death of her entire family when she was nine years old. It was done by a Klansman who wanted something her father had. The family was lynched old fashioned style, hanging by ropes in a barn that was then burned down. Even though everyone knew what had happened, the suspects were found not guilty. Butta' was more than angry and grew up with nothing but revenge on her young mind. Finally the day came when she found Lingo Stein, the engineer behind her family's demise, and she began to plan her retribution. Unfortunately, she miscalculated and botched the job. Stein, who was now extremely wealthy - all from the secret he stole from Butta's dad - used all his influence to get Butta' jailed for a long time. Once again, everyone knew the charges did not fit the crime, but nothing was done to rectify the situation. While Butta' was doing her time, she never gave up on planning her revenge. Will Butta' succeed the next time or will her anger get in her way again?

BUTTA' AND THE TOWER OF BLING by Corey A. Burkes is a story of racism and revenge. It shows the US for what it really is in its racist behavior of the past that continues today in a dressed up form and its worship of money. The characters are reasonable and Butta' is a likable young woman, while it is so easy to hate Lingo Stein. Some of the other characters definitely add flavor and a bit of humor to a very serious book. Unfortunately, there were tense switches and grammatical errors that interrupted the flow, but perhaps those will be ironed out in the finished copy. It is definitely a book worth reading.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Debut author, Corey A Burkes brings forth a gripping tale that will have readers wondering if settling an old score is really worth it.
When Butta' sets out to avenge her family's death by taking out Lingo Stein, a very powerful man who has made a living by producing the Earth's finest and largest diamonds, she is taking a risk that could cost her not only her life but the lives of her friends as well. But Butta' is set out to prove that Lingo's wealth was due to what he had stolen from her father. Showing no mercy, Butta's daring heist will take readers on an invigorating ride that will not stop until the last line is read.
Mr. Burkes has done an incomparable job in weaving together such dynamic characters in a riveting novel that the Writer's Inn has no choice but to give five stars. Job well done, Mr. Burkes and we look forward to seeing more of your work in the near future!

Corey Burkes has defined Urban Fiction with his debut novel, Butta and the Tower of Bling. Delivering a suspenseful, action packed read that is absolutely original and loaded with in your face attitude.

Lingo Stein had gone to great lengths to establish his company, Stein Diamonds as the number one diamond producing company in the world and he would go even further to protect it. Certain that Lingo Stein's vast enterprise and extensive wealth had been built upon a creation stolen from her father, Butta dedicated herself to one thing...revenge!

Getting her hands on a man that was seemingly untouchable would take a great deal of planning and would involve substantial risks. Together with three of her trusted friends Butta begins laying the groundwork for the a high tech heist and a cold-blooded execution. Fifteen years in the making, Lingo unveils his latest project, a diamond vault, housed in a brand new, state of the art tower. And this is just what Butta had been waiting for...but she would have only one shot...she had to make it count! Successfully breaching Lingo's extensive and quite deadly security system was only part of a much larger plan. The questions swirl as the tension rises...Can revenge bring comfort to the grieving? How far is too far?

A refreshing novel that never feels fake or rushed...it flows easily, with each chapter adding depth and substance to this detailed picture of urban culture. You will find no cookie-cut characters or stifled dialogue here, instead, Burkes allowed the cast of characters to be true to themselves- If a character is an unpolished rogue thief, the context of their narrative reads as such. Burkes ability to draw out such strong emotions and portray dastardly deeds from polar opposite positions propels the story. The ugliness that keeps the wheels of power and greed turning even at the expense of others as opposed to the love of a daughter for her father and the lengths to which she will go to avenge his death makes for an original reading experience. With such originality and strength, I look forward to reading Burkes future works.

Very lucid, educated and well-written book. The photographs are touchstones for truly interesting historical anecdotes that form a complete picture or a rich and complex history. There is no doubt that the two photographers, Baker and Burke, were remarkable witnesses too. The pictures are superb.

It is a pity that all the priceless photographic documentation of an obscure yet very crucial area of recent international history which this book contains - exists either in foreign institutions or in the private collections of Pakistan's corrupt elite-class families, who were then among the toadies and the main prop of the British Indian Empire, and who today similarly enable American imperialism to control Pakistan from its capital in Washington DC. The book's author Omar Khan comes from this same corrupt toady elite background; it is a pity we don't have better and more honest professional people to specialize in our history. Western and US readers may not be inclined or able to appreciate this fact. But then the backward societies of Pakistan and Afghanistan are also to blame for having no sense of institutions or history, and no interest in having national museums where their history can be housed and explained. Being illiterate and hungry, their couldn't care less, and are more concerned about procuring their next morsel of food. People here when they come across ancient ruins and artifacts that dot the rich archaeological landscape of our region - have no compunction in selling statues and coins to Western dealers for small fortunes. Who can blame them? They are poverty stricken and disorderly, and the government here encourages corruption instead of doing its job and providing a proper social order where the people can flourish and prosper materially and intellectually, and where they can gain an education that will help them appreciate history and humanity.

This is an exceptionally well-researched and engaging book on the history of 2 100 year old photographers of old India. Omar Khan takes you on a journey of discovery as you play detective and unravel the mysteries hidden in the photographs which illustrate the interesting lives of Burke and Baker.

I recently read the book... it has nice photographs, but not a well researched text from what I can deduct... I have interest in the history of the area and have done some basic reaearch on Dr G W Leitner's works... DR. Leitner was a pioneer orientalist and the first pricipal of Government College Lahore. He came up with the title "Dards" for people of northern areas of Pakistan, and all the local languages in the region (other than "Balti") are known as "Dardic languages" as a tribute to Dr G W Leitner.

One of the pictures on the page 78 titlled as "Ladakhians" which shows a man standing in sheep skin and another one sitting next to him have been called as hunters from ladakh region, but infact the man who is standing is "Jamsehd-the Siah Posh Kafir" from Kafristan and the man sitting is a Swati Musalman... this was explained in "The Illustrated London News, Sept 26, 1874 page # 206 with the same picture. Dr Leitner later took Jamsehd into his service and has given an extensive account of him in his book Dardistan in 1866, 1886 and 1893.

The exact paragraph( from "The Illustrated London News, Sept 26, 1874") is read as " we have been permitted to copy half a dozen of his photographs of the natives of these highlands. " Siah Posh Kafirs" figure in two of the Engravings. The name denotes nothing more than " Black Dress Infidels", as they are called by their Mohammeden neighbours, referring to the shaggy tunnic of black hairy goatskin in which these men are usually clothed. The bare headed man in this attire, with a dagger in his raised hand, appears to be just as he did when brought down to Peshawar. The one with the Ax, standing by a small tree or bamboo, with a turband swati seated below, is identical person now with Dr Leitner in London. His name is Jamshed, from Katar, in the Hindu Koosh; he has blue eyes and reddish hair. He was captured in youth, with others of his family, by Cabul slave-traders; and his uncle Fermorz rose in the service of the Ameer of Cabul to high military rank, but was murdered in his camp near Harat in the civil war against ameer's rebellious son. Prince Yaqub Khan."

These kafirs are indeed from Katar, Gambir and Dari... an area encompassing some eastern tributaries of the upper Tregâm Valley... where the language tregâmi was spoken.

there is mention of "slaves of kafristan" on page 126... but authour failed to mention the historical significance...

Another error is a picture of "Group of Baltees"... on page 76... they seem more like the Dard Highlanders... which have been repeatedly explained by historians like Dr Leitner, Younghusband and John Keay.

The book has nice photographs... which were taken by John Burke and William Baker... but the written material is not well researched... Any serious student of history should do independent research before giving a refernce from this book...

This is an exceptional book, with both beautiful photographs and rigorously well-researched text. Many of the stories and facts the author uncovers about the photographs serve as little mysteries solved and served on a silver platter. Most photography books have beautiful pictures and little text; this book has both great pictures and meaningful text that help fix the importance of the photos in our mind.
Together, these shed much needed light on the rich history of northwestern India, Pakistan and Afghanistan - a history that is hardly known or talked about. A real pleasure to read and look at, this is the best book in my historical photography collection.

Riding a lot 10+ years ago, and starting again this year, I needed an upgrade. I picked this book up to help bring me into the current era and I wasn't disapointed.

My first dive into the book focused on the peddaling, heart rate and nutritional areas. After reading this, I really felt like I could sift thru a lot more of the (mis-)information that I was hearing. I don't ever expect to be this level of a cyclist, but it was great to learn about what really makes a difference - and what (at least as far as the current studies show) doesn't.

Nicely put together!

Thanks to Dr. Burke that he'd reviewed amazing world of cycling to me.

But some chapter have too hard to understand data that lots of equation (maybe i'm to stupid to understand)


Good source for serious cycling.

This is a very scientific publication which can escape the interest and desire of those not serious about cycling. For those that want the edge for performance and racing knowledge, this book is for you. It is full of data that compares theories and applied sciences to biking. At times this information can be dry, but for those serious about biking, it is essential.

This book gives you the knowledge to make you ride your fastest, to have the Edge over your competitors, and to have the performance over your bicycling colleages. It covers cycling equipment, body positioning, cadence, cycling biomechanics, high altitude training, and nutrition. The information is current and thorough.

I found this book to be an excellent collection of articles covering various aspects of the science of cycling. Bike fit, measuring aerodynamics, pedaling efficiency, and so forth.

Some of it passed way over my head, but I learned quite a bit, for example, from the chapter on pedaling efficiency, such as studies showing where dead spots typically are, optimal cadence studies and the like. The studies regarding energy use by professional riders in stage races was great information.

The book is not going to help improve my riding directly as much as, say, a book the The Trainging Bible, but more knowledge about my sport is a great thing. I highly recommend it.

This was an interesting book but not particularly what I was looking for. I was looking for a book about riding technique to improve my efficiency. With the exception of a few paragraphs here and there, this book went deep into design physics of components, etc., etc. It would be great if you were into research and development of cycling compenents. However interesting it may have been, almost every chapter ended with a phrase that went something like this, "The research is inconclusive because of...."

Despite the kind of cheesy title, I actually
really liked this book. The Author, Mr. Hedges
was not a big reader, but reluctantly decided to
read a self-help book that his sister-in-law had
recommended. This book not only inspired him to
read more books, it actually inspired him to change
his life, to make the changes necessary for him
to grow rich, both materially and spiritually.

Reading self-help books, although very helpful
for many people, is also considered kind of
declasse. This is ironic since traditionally,
studying the humanities (including Literature)
was considered a form of self-help, a respected
way to understand humanity and oneself.

This is something Mr. Hedges touches upon when
he lists a number of historical self-help books
such as Pilgrims Progress and Walden. Popular
self-help books, that are also considered Literature.

The author also stresses the importance of
self-education through reading, and gives
some examples, including:

- Abraham Lincoln who went to school a couple of
times a week when he was 7 years old (a total
of 18 months according to Wikipedia), and that
was it. The rest of his education he got from
reading widely.

- Frederick Douglas, a slave with no formal education
(he learned to read by listening while the wife
of his owner taught her children to read).
He was self-taught through reading, and became
a major force in the abolitionist movement.

What I particularly liked about this book was
the author's sincerity in wanting to spread the
word on the benefits of reading, which he does
is a very lively way.

Where the book lacked, was that the author neglected
the importance of reading for enjoyment. After all,
the more you "read for pleasure", the easier
reading becomes (practice makes perfect). And the
easier reading becomes, the more likely the reader
will stick with and comprehend more instructional
books.

I also really enjoyed the historical references
that Mr. Hedges makes. It's obvious he did his
research, and I definitely learned a lot!

If you read only one book in the next year,may I suggest that this be the one.
This is a very astute book and anyone who spends a couple of hours reding it will get more benefit from it than anything else you could receive for the time spent.
This book is so good the rewards from reading it can come to a person in their teens,in their mid-life,in their retirement years,and that goes for someone with minimal or extensive education;successful or still struggling.
The book is loaded with comments from people of all walks of life and sayings that one can adopt to guide them in success and happiness.
A couple of sayings are indicative:

"You are the same person today as you will be five years
from now, except for two things:
The people you meet
and
The books you read."
"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over
the man who cannot read them."
I have been an avid reader as long as I can remember.At home we has a set of The Book of Knowledge,consisting of 24 large volumes.I devoured the whole set,and much of more than once,before I finished school.While in the Army ,one summer, I found "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck and by the end of summer ,I'd found and read all his novels.I have continued to read ever since and am now in my retirement years and read about 150 books a year.I have a personal library of about 7000 books and fully agree with the saying "So many books and so little time".
This love of reading has rewarded me throughout my life,and Hedges has beautifully covered the benefits of reading in this 'Gem' of a book.
I'd like to add a couple of my favorite 'book sayings' to the ones in this book:
"There is no frigate like a book,to take us lands away."
"Those who are happy enough to have a taste for reading need
never to be at lost for amusement."

Burke Hedges wrote the delightful little book on how one can grow rich and fulfilled by reading good books. He illustrates several excellent examples of wealthy people who credit their prosperity to a great idea that was picked from a good book. There are hundreds and thousands of books out there but the author cites some classics which from my own experience and reading, can attest to their greatness. These include inspirational/motivational books like Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz, The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, Acres of Diamonds by Russell Conwell and The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino. The right book at the right time can make a huge difference to one's life.

The right book depends on one's goals in life. If in management, one needs to seek the right management books to be guided to success, such as management books by gurus like Peter Drucker. Many people complain of busy lives with no time for reading. However, the author shows that one only needs to spare about 15 minutes a day for reading and this can make a tremendous difference. He also gives tips about how one can read more effectively. From reading a good book, we can talk to great men and women who give us their valuable thoughts and insights.

Whole cultures have been changed by some compelling books. The author cites ten such books which most would agree that they changed the world to a significant extent. These include The Bible, writings by Greek philosophers like Plato, Socrates and Aristotle, The Magna Carta of 1215, The Gutenberg Bible, the 95 Theses by Martin Luther, the plays and sonnets by Shakespeare, the American Declaration of Independence (1776), the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Communist Manifesto and Hitler's MeinKampf (my struggle). No doubt, we can think of many more.

I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to enrich his/her life through reading. Remember that reading should be life long, not just to pass some examination.

I'm all for reading. A reading advocate for all seasons.

But this is a short book that can't even fill its short pages with any message more specific than: Reading Is Good Not Just Because Your Teacher Said So, But Because It Will Increase Your Chances Of Success In Life.

Really! What a surprise!

If you don't already know that, you ain't gonna be reachin' for this book in the first place.

P.S. I was hoping to, and still hope to, find a book linking certain books/magazines and certain reading habits with certain successful people, so as to draw conclusions as to the best things to read and the best reading habits to have if you want to "B" "E" "Successful" (or at least to pretend you have a chance).

The author talks about the importance of reading, and how it differs from simply watching TV or listening to the radio. Straight forward approach, with individual human examples, of how a person's life can change for the better by reading.

There is also an interesting comparison (that may even be eye-opening) between the people who choose to read and the people who know how to read and choose not to.

I found that this book is a general introduction to what a reading teacher does. It is very inclusive, but since I already had the general background, I didn't find that suggestions like, discuss a character's motivation, to be particularly helpful. I was looking for a springboard to lesson plans. I would rather have had a skinny book with just a few specific workable ideas I could have brought into my classroom. In other words, this book covers a lot of ground, but without much depth. I am giving it two stars because I think it would be helpful for a college student who may need to demonstrate knowledge of general teaching techniques.

Without a doubt, this book (and anything else by Mr. Burke) is a must have for any teacher of Reading or English. How Mr. Burke finds the time to put together such wonderful resources is beyond this mere mortal of an English teacher, but I would be lost without Reading Reminders. I literally put some of the strategies to work the day after I bought the book. Several of my collegues rushed out and bought it after seeing the results I was getting. If you have struggling readers, this book will breathe new life into them--and you!

The books description "Do you have a minute? That's how quickly this book will help you improve your students' reading skills. Designed to be read on the run and make every minute count in your classroom, Reading Reminders features Jim Burke's one hundred best techniques for teaching reading, complete with tools and tips on how to implement them. " is a start.

What this book does is teach the facilitator be they public, private or even homeschooling how to get a students attention as well as how to inspire the student to do more than simply read words. I especially like his recommendation on silent reading and how to orally share what one has read and what the author has attempted to convey. This is really important since many students see reading as a chore and end up buying abbreviated books that skim the book and little else. I believe the book can be a valuable tool for parents as well, and that the student whose teacher has read this book, will become a student who also reads quality books for pleasure.

As a 26 year veteran of the high school English classroom, I am thrilled with Jim Burke's latest book, Reading Reminders. It has come at a perfect time as well since, like many schools in our state, we have adopted a reading goal as part of our school improvement plan. Not one of the teachers in my department has a reading endorsement or any idea of how to teach reading. So this book has been incredibly helpful to us all (as well as to colleagues in other departments). It is so practical, so well-researched and thought out! It also reminds me of some of the best practice I engaged in when I started teaching but have somehow forgotten over the years. I also appreciate how easy it is to use - you can start implementing the strategies immediately although I think it is most effective to read it through beforehand to appreciate how beautifully it aligns with what is overall best practice in teaching English. Having done a great deal of research lately on this subject, I have not found any materials to equal this book.

(I also give his English Teacher's Companion to all of our new English teachers. They invariably rave about it.)

I've been using Reading Reminders all summer to plan my sophomore reading class strategies next year. I love the organization of this book. Links to related sections are easy to find. Burke gives wonderful examples of so many worthwhile lesson ideas, like dense questioning, making connections, and repeated reading. There are dozens more. I can hardly wait to give my students the reading survey and to run off all the graphic organizers in the appendix!

As a 16-year teacher, I am often disapointed by workshops on reading that are really aimed at the elementary grades and "retrofitted" for high schoolers. This book is a high school teacher's dream.

Those with Internet access would probably find this information easily on their own, but it is nice to have this all in one reference.

My one complaint about this book has to do with the glossary at the end, which explains the roles of various staff who care for patients, including RN's, PA's, nurse anesthetists, fellows, etc. There is no mention of nurse practitioners (NP's). For many patients, an NP is the primary care provider. I find it upsetting that the nurses writing the book would mention PA's but not NP's, who are midlevel providers within their own discipline.

This book offers a list of questions for ~65 situations, only one of which I found suitable for the elderly person I bought it for. She is very intimidated by doctors and other med staff, so I was hoping the book would give her the ability to overcome that, acknowledge her concerns, give direction in how to compile questions to ask, and realize that we're in a time where the patient has to be very proactive to get things done. Since she wouldn't have questions on 95% of the topics (like acne, ADHD, scarlet fever), the book isn't worth the money paid. I would have returned it, but couldn't find the receipt.

The collaborative work of Margaret Fitzpatrick, Linda Burke, and Daryl Lee (three Chicago area critical care nurses) What To Ask The Doc: The Questions To Ask To Get the Answers You Need is an ideal guide for the non-specialist general reader who needs to clear responses from doctors and nurses with respect to sixty-six different health care issues, settings, services. Enhanced with fifteen informative articles covering diverse difficult issues including "End of Life Decisions" and "Who's Who in the Healthcare Setting", What To Ask The Doc is highly recommended, exceptionally practical, inordinately useful reading for anyone faced with medical emergencies or healthcare situations ranging from pediatric procedures to menopause.

I bought the book after hearing the author interviewed recently on WGN radio. You know how everyone tells you to write down your questions before going to the doctor. I always mean to, but I usually end up "winging it." Here you can just grab the book, bookmark the page that deals with your particular condition and bring it to the doctor's office. There's usually time in the waiting room to read through the recommended questions in the book and even make notes in the margins. I think it's a great tool to have around when medical situations come up.

This is a book consisting of lists of questions sorted by illness and medical procedures; ADHD, anaesthesia, congestive heart failure, broken bones, Alzheimer's Disease, MS, Diabetes and more. Plus there is a glossary of medical terms, and interesting info on why certain things happen the way they do in the hospital (for example, why can't you eat solid food for a while after general anaesthesia? Answer; your gut goes to sleep, too and needs to wake up! If you eat before the doctor or nurse hears the noises of a once-again active gut, you could throw up if you try to eat.)

Don't wait to find this book when you have a medical situation at home--this is a valuable reference to have handy if you should ever need it. Doctors often forget to tell patients and family valuable information because the time spent with the patient can be limited. Make the most of your consultation time with this list of intelligent and necessary questions.

Here in a single volume is about all that is needed to design, implement, and then monitor a program through which to achieve organizational transformation. Moreover, the editors have selected both information and wisdom which can help to ensure that such a program is comprehensive, cohesive, and cost-effective. The phrase "best practices" is apt but should not be misconstrued to mean that strategies and tactics which have been highly successful in some organizations are necessary going to be successful in all others. Moreover, I urge the reader to keep in mind that, although the organizations featured (e.g. Boeing, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, Nortel Networks, ServiceMASTER, SmithKline Beecham, and Sun Microsystems) are among the largest in their respective industries, much of the material in this book is also relevant to small-to-midsize organizations. My own rather extensive past experience with all manner of organizations (including non-profits) has convinced me that most people do not fear change; rather, they fear the unfamiliar. Hence the importance of three on-going initiatives: communicate, communicate, and communicate.

Part One consists of Acknowledgments, About This Book, How to Use This Book, and an excellent Foreword by Richard Beckhard. Carter, Giber, and Goldsmith then shift their attention in Part Two of "Organization & Human Resources Development Case Studies." The individual case studies are distributed within this thematic structure:

Organizational Development & Change

Leadership Development

Recruitment & Retention

Performance Management

Coaching & Mentoring

Part Three: Conclusion consists of Research (OD/HRD Trends and Findings), Endnotes, About Linkage, Inc., About the Editors, Index, and How to Use the CD-ROM, terrific value-added benefit.

Back to Beckhard's Foreword for a moment. In it, he identifies six (6) "elements" which are basic to each case study; all are central to and sequential within the change process associated with organizational development/human resource development (OD/HRD). They are: Business Diagnosis, Assessment, Program Design, Implementation, On-the-Job Support, and Evaluation. It is helpful to keep these six "elements" clearly in mind while working your way through the abundance of information which the editors provide. Fortunately, they have organized the (sometimes daunting) material with meticulous care and write exceptionally well. I also urge you to use the same six "elements" as guidelines when determining what the design of your own program for organizational change should be, and, when selecting those strategies and tactics discussed in the book which are most appropriate to the implementation and evaluation of that program. This is especially true of decision-makers in small-to-midsize organizations.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out O'Toole's Leading Change, Katzenbach's Real Change Leaders as well as his Peak Performance , Kaplan and Norton's The Balanced Scorecard and The Strategy-Focused Organization, Quinn's Deep Change, O'Dell and Grayson's If Only We Knew What We Know, Isaacs' Dialogue and the Art of Thinking Together, and Senge's The Dance of Change. Those especially interested in Six Sigma are encouraged to check out (and read in this order) Pande's The Six Sigma Way, Breyfogle's Implementing Six Sigma, and Eckes's Making Six Sigma Last.

This book is terrific! I only hope that more best practices books are created like this one in the future. Please keep these books coming! They are better than benchmarking reports because they provide all of the elements necessary to fully understand how to lead initiatives in addition to all of the research.

This book was a worthwhile purchase. It is very different from many books that just present the strategy or concept with very little or no applicability. The book actually provides one with a "how to" guide in addressing the many development, performance and other issues we grapple with in our organisations today.

"The principal goal of this book is to provide you with the key ingredients taken from best-companies to help you create and enhance your organization and human resource development (OD/HRD) initiative. Through a case study approach, this book provides practical, easy-to-apply tools, instruments, training, concepts, and competency models that can be used as benchmarks for the successful implementation of your specific OD/HRD initiative (from the Introduction)."

In this context, Louis Carter, David Giber, and Marshall Goldsmith (editors) divide core part of this book -Organization and Human Resources Development Case Studies- into following five OD/HRD topic areas:

I. Organization Development and Change: In this section, W. Warner Burke says, "Seven rich cases (Kraft Foods, Nortel, ServiceMASTER, SmithKline Beecham, Westinghouse, CK Witko, and Xerox) of organization development and change are discussed...The cases cover a wide range of change from how OD occurs every day to deep change in an organization's culture...Without doubt we can learn from these cases. And learn we must. Changing organization is too intricate to be left to novices. We have indeed learned and noted at the outset, but we still have much to learn. As one who has been involved for more than 35 years, helping organizations change is both thrilling and very satisfying. Learning, however, is the most exciting part (pp.6-8)."

II. Leadership Development: In this section, Jay A. Congerwrites that "In the cases that follow, we look at three companies (Boeing, Johnson & Johnson, and Sun Microsystems,Inc.) that have dedicated serious time and resources to leadership development...In addition, all three of the company cases make extended use of competency models, 360-degree feedback, and action learning (p.186)."

III. Recruitment and Retention: In this section of the book, John Sullivan writes, "you'll learn how three diverse companies tackled their retention and recruiting problems. Two of the firms are high tech (AMD and Cellular One), while another (Allstate) is in a more traditional industry. Both AMD and Cellular One focus on solving the hot issue of retention while Allstate takes a new look at the recruiting and selection processes. All three of the case studies use a scientific approach to identify which solutions have the most impact...All three of these case studies are worth examining because of their scientific methodology as well as their results. All are full of powerfull 'lessons learned' for those who are soon to begin a major recruitment or retention effort (pp.303-304)."

IV. Performance Management: This section examines performance management systems of Case Corporation and Sonoco. Edward E. Lawler III says that "the performance management systems in most organizations are contoversial, ineffective, and constantly under construction. They are so problematic that critics argue many organizations would be better off if they simply didn't have a performance management system, particularly one in which performance appraisals are tied to pay actions. But-and it is an important but- if individuals are not appraised, counseled, coached, and rewarded for performance, how can an organization pruduce the organized, coordinated, and motivated behavior that it takes to perform well? The answer most likely is that it can't (p.393)."

V. Coaching and Mentoring: Introduction of this section, Beverly Kaye writes, "the last 5 years have seen a groundswell in both arenas. And it's not just been more of the same; organizations have begun to use mentoring and coaching more purposefully. HR and OD practitioners have worked to utilize both interventions to meet pressing business problems having to do with the development and retention of talent, as well as the growth of future leaders. These interventions have been more systemic, more thoughtful, and more innovative than ever before. The case studies (Dow Corning, and MediaOne Group-AT&T) illustrate this trend. Both were motivated by specific business drivers, both were preceded by intensive research, both were implemented over time, and both were evaluated seriously. Readers will find them instructive, detailed, and engaging (p.438)."

Finally, Louis Carter (editor) says that "contributors were asked to indicate where they envision their organization is heading with its initiative within the next 5 to 10 years. Responses indicate that the contributors want to keep the organization on a track to continuously learn and develop its capabilities. Comments from some contributors indicate that they want to leverage lessons learned from this experience. Some contributors commented that they want to firmly ingrain the initiative into the organization to the point that it is almost invisible to the user, making it an accepted part of life at the company. Other contributors will continue to refine the present initiative in place, while others will expand their efforts into other business lines. Survey results clearly indicate that the present state of the initiatives represented in this book represent snapshots of moving targets. Further growth and innovation is inevitable for these best practice organizations, as they work to stay ahead of their competitors by embracing change and continuously learning and improving (pp.531-532)."

Strongly recommended.

Reading this book reminded me of attending a good conference where lots of company executives provide detailed examples of the issues they faced, and how they went about dealing with those issues. Since such conferences usually cost several hundred dollars, this book is a real bargain -- and you don't have to get on an airplane and fly someplace!

One of the strengths of the book is that you receive several perspectives on the context for each case history. The editors describe what each case means, and the conclusions section summarizes general patterns. Also, each case is presented in the same format which makes it easier to understand what is being shared. I was particularly grateful for the exhibits (which exist in electronic form in the CD enclosed in the book). I also appreciated that the cases were primarily written by Human Resources professionals inside the companies, rather than being a consultant's take on what happened.

Having said all those positive things, let me share some concerns. First, I looked in vain for my favorite examples of outstanding work in recruiting, retention, knowledge encouragement, and executive development. If this book is about "best practices" where were GE, Disney, Motorola, Ritz Carlton, and SAS Institute? Second, many of the cases involved companies that are better known for their poor performance than for excellence. If they are developing their people so well, what happened? Third, a lot of these cases involve new initiatives where the long-term consequences are hard to see. Fourth, the profit impact on the organizations was not well documented. That makes it hard to use these cases as examples to encourage your own company to follow suit. Fifth, as change management processes, most of these cases are far behind the curve of what is described in Peter Senge's various books of case histories such as The Dance of Change. Part of the reason seems to be that a number of these cases aren't very new.

Of the cases in the book, I recommend the ServiceMASTER, Westinghouse, Johnson & Johnson, Allstate, and Case Corporation examples as the most helpful to me. I mention that because there's a lot of material in this book. I read a lot and rapidly, and I found this book hard to tackle. By being more selective in what you go after, you can help avoid some of that problem. Naturally, if your own issues are only in a few areas, just look at those cases.

Develop the full potential of everyone, beginning with yourself!

Franklin is really pontificating on how he "earned" his black belt. Its more a soapbox for his ego than lending business acumen to the world. I found the book arrogant and misleading in areas. Other parts of the book do provide some real world advise, its just the cost is too high. I am glad that Franklin has a black belt -- I just don't need to be blinded by it.

Qualify your advice. I've read that in several books. I'm always hesitant about reading business books written by so called consultants. Anyone can give himself the title of consultant. All they have to do is read a couple of books on the latest business trends and start using the jargon picked up from the reading. What I love about Business Black Belt is that Burke Franklin has been down the road, up and down, several times. His is a narration from the trenches of battle, not from the comfort of a battle cruiser a few miles out at sea. He tells it to you with all the gory details that business life entails. Most of the books that are out there right now are written by infopreneurs that are trying capitalizing on our thirst for answers. Alas, most of these writers' knowledge of business consists of cashing the checks they receive from their publishers.

The content of Franklin's book makes up for the lack of writing skills. There are many grammar and spelling errors that a good copy editor would have caught. The writing is not a reason to pass on this book. The wisdom contained in this book is more valuable than what you'll learn from reading all the current business bestsellers.

Buy this book. You can thank me when you're done.

I've been reading your book and you sure have a lot of good information in there. Obviously you've lived through a lot of different business situations in your line of work. You have a lot of wisdom and the book shows it.

This is a great business book, written easy to understand and easy to understand the ideas the author is trying to express. Here is one quote that I think is very good, "Sell customers what they want, provide what they need, and deliver more than they expect"

This is great advice from an entrepreneur who has lived and streamlined processes that work in the real world.
It is clearly written in a conversational style and incorporates humor that makes otherwise dry business acumen palatable.
When I come up against a challenge I don't have the answer for, it's great to have an easy reference right at my desk that I can go to, find straightforward advice, and make expedient, well informed decisions.
This book has saved me time and money. It has certainly increased my confidence level and productivity.

This was a nice story to read around Christmas; a story that shows the importance of love and giving at the most appropriate time of the year for the lesson.

Reviewed by Regan Windsor for Reader Views (10/07)

Carol and Jonathon dropped out of college to marry, too eager in their newfound love to wait through the endless years of study. Jonathon had been attending business school in preparation for a partnership in his father's retail store; a store that was started and built to success by his grandfather. Unhappy with his son's hasty decision, Jonathon's father offered him no further financial assistance and the same opportunity as anyone else - he would have to work his way up the ranks.

Carol's passion was music. If she wasn't going to Nashville, it would be to a school of music in preparation for Nashville. At least until she met Jonathon Burke. Not only had she left her dreams of a life of music behind, she also left her family.

The realities of life very quickly set in for Carol and Jonathon. Jonathon finds himself putting in many long hours at the store to prove his commitment and his ability to take on more responsibility. Carol begins to spend more and more time by herself and when Jonathon accidentally runs over Carol's guitar she was left without even her own music to comfort her. With very little money left over after the rent and groceries is paid she can only dream of a replacement at the music shop window.

With Christmas around the corner and Jonathon putting in longer hours at the store, Carol begins to feel more and more alone. She begins to question her decision to leave her family and dreams of Nashville behind. Sensing her daughter-in-law's loneliness, Ruth drops by to ask her if she would be interested in being involved in a big Christmas benefit that is being planned. A singer from Nashville will be coming and he will need a couple of backup singers. Would she be interested in not only singing with him, but coordinate the rest of the singers?

Carol quickly becomes wrapped up in the excitement of the benefit planning, rehearsals, and preparation for opening night. When Travis Thompson, the infamous Nashville singer, begins to talk to her of coming to Nashville and working with his agent, Carol is both excited and torn. She has had much excitement over the weeks leading up to the benefit, and a husband that has been unavailable to share it with. Is this what she wants for her life? As an opportunity that was once her sole dream stares her in the face she turns to God for answers.

"A Carol for Christmas" is a heartwarming look at the struggles of finding ones place in life, keeping the faith when the road gets rough, and having the strength to stand up for what you truly believe in. Robin Lee Hatcher has packed amazing depth into this heartfelt novella. Truly a gift for the holidays.

In the prologue of A CAROL FOR CHRISTMAS, Carol and her husband Jonathan are celebrating eight months of marriage. But a phone call from Jonathan's father disrupts their afternoon together. Jonathan has to return to the family business, Burke Department Store, in order to handle another crisis. He forgot though that he had leaned Carol's guitar against the car bumper. So as he's backing out from the driveway, there is a loud crunch. Jonathan unintentionally crushes his wife's most precious possession.

Carol and Jonathan meet as freshmen at the University of Colorado. After a few months in a whirlwind relationship and against the wishes of their parents, the couple decide to quit school and get married. Carol, a gifted music student, and Jonathan, a business major, return to Jonathan's home in Boise, Idaho, where he begins working as a manager at Burke Department Store instead of sticking to his original plan of graduating from college and starting out as a junior partner. This decision means spending long hours working at the store and time apart from Carol, which puts a strain on their relationship.

One afternoon Carol's mother-in-law calls Carol and invites her to sing backup vocals at a Christmas benefit with country singer Travis Thompson. The idea of singing with such a well-known artist is exciting and renews her interest in music. She also is responsible for trying out and selecting two additional backup singers. Travis is impressed with Carol's talents and takes the rare step of giving her the name and business card of his agent and encouraging her to contact him.

While Carol is gaining confidence in her musical abilities, her relationship with Jonathan continues to struggle. Jonathan's father, Arlen, has high expectations for his son and the family business. When father and son take a business trip together to visit another store, Jonathan fishtails in the snow and Arlen asks him where he learned to drive. Jonathan responds, "Driver's ed. West Junior High, summer of 1964. Perfect score on the exam." At first Arlen is silent, but then he laughs. Jonathan understands how rare it is to hear any sounds of joy from his father. The business and work consume the old man, and Jonathan is determined not to have the same experience with Carol.

A strong story and depth of characters combine with a solid spiritual message from Robin Lee Hatcher. Readers can celebrate the love of Christmas with this novella, a perfect way to get into the spirit of the holidays.

--- Reviewed by W. Terry Whalin

I did not find this story as interesting as some Christmas novels. This story was simple in theme and the way it was written. I liked it but not that well.

It's time to curl up by the fire with a cup of cocoa and enjoy some heart-warming romance. This beautiful novella can be read in one quiet evening, taking you to Boise, Idaho, set in the late 60s. Hatcher says she got the idea for the story based on her own difficulties in early marriage as a teenage bride.

Going against their parents' wishes, Carol and Jonathan are newlyweds, struggling with too many bills to pay and not enough time to be together. Both have dreams: Carol is an accomplished singer and longs to make a debut in Nashville, and Jonathan is a rising manager in his family's retail business. Will their love withstand all the obstacles that threaten to tear them apart?

Unlike our modern culture which encourages people to live together before marriage, A Carol for Christmas is a refreshing and powerful love story.

-- Christian Women Online Book Buzz

Originally the second edition was the required text for my Methods course; however, this is the most valuable required book I have had to purchase for courses. When the third edition was released, I purchased it immediately. Burke provides practical suggestions while providing a clear image to the teacher to know how to implement the suggestion. One of the few books that I recommend to all teachers in high schools.

Excellent book! Goes to show that you can get thru to nearly every student no matter where you teach!

This book is a great resource tool to have at your disposal! It provides tips and information not often shared in teaching courses. I highly recommend it.

Although I have been teaching English for twelve years, I will be the department chair for my school for the first time next year. I felt the need to brush up on the latest research and ideas, so I ordered this book, knowing nothing about the author. I was so pleased and still am as I am highlighting and marking all over this book, tagging all the information and examples that might help my fellow teachers. I love the way Burke balances the need to address standards and requirements with creativity and individualism. It's a must have for every English teacher of any level or experience. A great reference book to have easily accessible.

This book - like previous editions - is an excellent book for classroom teachers. It covers what an English teacher must know with plenty of excellent facts and practical suggestions. The author knows what he is talking about from years of experience.

That said - there are some problems. Previous editions were quite compact with short but excellent descriptions of what a teacher had to know to put something into practice.. This one is different. The explanations are often much too long and contain a ton of detail, some of which is needed.

Compared to previous editions, this edition need a little slimming down.