Clayton Books

A very bold book, with uncensored views. It had a story to tell. A story of African American life.

Upon reading this book for the first time, I thought it was very raw and somewhat negative and offensive. After reading it a second time, I realized how true it really is. I understood that the words didn't come from the author's mouth. But from a mother, a man, a teen, a gangster, etc. Then, I was able to relate and appreciate the work. The author of this book is very talented as she travels through the thoughts of various individuals, in various situations. She definitely doesn't beat around the bush. Her words jump right at you. You can't help but recognize them, respect them and open your eyes.

"Open Our Eyes" is a poetry book filled with truth and power. It offers poignant reflections on the African-American's place in today's society. The poems are intense and absorbing. Nanci's poetry goes beyond the superficial blanket that many people tend to hide behind. The depth of the poetry will strike a chord in the souls of many. Nanci is truly a gifted writer who is using her talent to leave a legacy of hope for African Americans everywhere.

I really enjoyed the poetry of Open Our Eyes. Everything in this book has crossed my mind before or I have discussed it with friends. The author is bold and courageous enough to write about it. This author is a powerful performer. I was able to see her in action in Houston. She is adorable, funny and personable. I felt as if I knew her all of my life. Buy a book for yourself and a friend.

I am not much of a reader. It can take me weeks to finish a book no matter how good it is. I live in a slow town, but I just don't have the time,even though I live in a boring town. But this book was diffrent. It is so good I could not put it down. The poems are excellent and make you want to finish the whole book.

Did Forrest Carter have character flaws? Well so did Ricard Wagner.

These are the best two westerns I've ever read. For all his faults, Carter could write.

I loved the movie, but the book was far better.

Forrest Carter did a great job depicting the violence of the post-civil war era. Especially in the South Central part of the country that was never written about in our history books. A very descriptive representation of how things really were. No wonder Clint Eastwood bought the rights to the book for his movie.

Steve Thompson

Great story. Great action. Much grittier than the movie, this book doesn't pull punches when it comes to blood-lettin' the in the finest traditions of the Missouri guerilla-outlaw turned Texan. The characters are well-developed and the "code" underlying Wales' and Lone Watie's partnership is richly detailed. Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey novels are for politically correct sissies. This book and its two novels tell it like it really was. If you like westerns, you'll find this to be one of the best you've ever read!

I READ BOTH BOOKS AS SOON AS I GOT IT. IF FOUND BOTH BOOKS VERY EASY TO READ AND VERY HARD TO PUT DOWN. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO LIKES REALISTIC WESTERN / REAL LIFE TYPE STORIES.

EXCELLENT READ.

This is absolutely fantastic western fiction. The struggle of a post-war confederate guerrilla moves with great speed and energy. It is easy to understand why Clint Eastwood tried to capture this on film, but (no surprise) the book is much better. Only one other western on my Top Ten Books list: The Virginian. Carter's book is THAT good.

Enjoyed reading about the life of Clayton Moore, The Lone Ranger. Since receiving it I am now in my 3rd reading of it. It seems everytime I find someting new and interesting.

I wish he was alive so I could personally talk with him about his adventure doing The Lone Ranger. May his spirit always remain in the hearts of all Americans...

You can find out more information about Clayton Moore and The Lone Ranger fan club at www.lonerangerfanclub.com/jr

This man, Clayton Moore WAS the Lone Ranger. I can say no more.

Taylor Trade Publishing presents "I WAS THAT MASKED MAN" (Paperback) - by Clayton Moore and Frank Thompson --- Clayton Moore was an American actor best known for playing the fictional western character The Lone Ranger --- Moore was a circus acrobat as a boy, then later enjoyed a successful career as a John Robert Powers model. Moving to Hollywood in the late 1930s, he began working as a stunt man and bit player between modeling jobs --- He was an occasional player in B-Westerns and Republic Studio cliffhangers, ultimately starring in more such films than serial hero Buster Crabbe --- His big break came in 1949, when George Trendle spotted him in "Ghost of Zorro" --- As producer of the radio show and creator of "The Lone Ranger" character along with writer Fran Striker, Trendle was about to launch the masked man in the new medium of television --- Moore was cast on sight.

In keeping with the nature of the Ranger character, Moore chose to protect the Ranger's identity at all times and is perhaps the only actor whose full face is largely unknown to the public. It was never shown in the TV series, although occasionally he would don a disguise and affect an accent, revealing the upper half of his face in the process. However, there is no shortage of photos of Moore unmasked, including many in his autobiography. His many fans, however, could easily recognize him by his distinctive voice --- (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

TABLE OF CONTENTS: (Title and Page Numbers)
Foreword by Leonard Maltin - ix
Preface by Frank Thompson - xi
Introduction by Frank Thompson - 1
1. Birth of a Ranger - 13
2. A Cowboy Actor in the Big Apple- 35
3. Hollywood - 43
4. Republic Pictures - 61
5. In the Army Now - 71
6. King of the B's - 79
7. Hi Yo Silver, Awayy! - 111
8. Back to the Big Screen - 131
9. Jay Silverheels - 143
10.The Lone Ranger Rides Again! - 151
11.England and a New Daughter - 185
12.Adventures on Television - 195
13.You Don't Pull the Mask Off the Ol' Lone Ranger - 203
14.The Adventures of Clayton Moore - 221
15.Who is That Masked Man? - 231
appendix - 243
Index - 257

BIOS:
1. Clayton Moore
Date of Birth: 14 September 1914 - Chicago, Illinois
Date of Death: 28 December 1999 - Los Angeles, California

Moore often was quoted as saying he had "fallen in love with the Lone Ranger character" and strove in his personal life to take The Lone Ranger Creed to heart. This, coupled with his public fight to retain the right to wear the mask, ultimately elevated him in the public's eyes to an American folk icon --- In this regard, he was much like another cowboy star, William Boyd, who nurtured the Hopalong Cassidy character --- Moore was so identified with the masked man that he is the only person on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as of 2006, to have his character's name along with his on the star, which reads, "Clayton Moore -- The Lone Ranger" --- He was inducted into the Stuntman's Hall of Fame in 1982 and in 1990 was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

THE LONE RANGER CREED - I Believe that to have a friend, a man must be one --- That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world -- That God put the firewood there but that every man must gather and light it himself in being prepared physically, mentally and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right --- That a man should make the most of what equipment he has --- That `This government of the people, by the people and for the people' shall live always --- That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number --- That sooner or later .. somewhere .. somehow .. we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken --- That all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever --- In my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

Check out a new book from Empire Publishing - "GENE AUTRY WESTERNS" (Hardcover) - by author Boyd Magers, like no other book on Gene Autry --- all of Gene's Mascot, Republic and Columbia westerns included, as well as his half-hour TV Episodes --- each segment contains the release date on each film ... major production credits ... complete cast (including character played) ... all songs included, songwriter and who performed them in the film ... running time of each film ... dates of the filming ... bios on the cast and major players (Smiley, Pat Buttram, Cass County Boys, Herbert J. Yates, directors, leading ladies, songwriters and various heavies, etc.) ... locations that were used ... budgets and negative cost ... stunt people involved ... analysis and synopsis on each film ... notes and comments (including film and cast background info, salaries paid, working titles, etc) ... comments from Gene and many other cast members on each film ... theater exhibitors comments at the time of the films release ...this tribute was written from the heart and it shows.

Hats off and thanks to Les Adams (collector/guideslines for character identification), Chuck Anderson (Webmaster: The Old Corral/B-Westerns.Com), Boyd Magers (Western Clippings), Bobby J. Copeland (author of "Trail Talk"), Rhonda Lemons (Empire Publishing Inc) and Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") as they have rekindled my interest once again for B-Westerns and Serials --- More than just a tribute to the role Clayton Moore made famous, this book is Moore's personal memoir, told with condor and sincerity -- the engaging story of the life he strove to live according to the ideals he represented to millions of Americans, please stand up and take a bow --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Pages: 280 ~ Taylor Trade Publishing ~ (4/25/1998)

I was a bigger fan of the Lone Ranger on radio than TV, but only because I was away in school most of the years it was on the tube and missed a great deal. That is something I am trying to make up as I collect DVDs and is why I bought this book. I have also known personally two who worked with Clayton Moore in the past, serial queen Kay Aldridge and former rodeo star Beverly McDermott. Everything they said about this man is echoed in the book. A very honest upright straight shooter. I am also impressed by his arguments as to why a star should set an example. So different in Hollyweird today. We need actors and actresses today who have the high moral standards this man has shown. May God bless him always, here and in Heaven.

An in depth history of Clayton Moore. A very informative perpective of a bye-gone age in Hollywood. I really enjoyed this book. A must read for Lone Ranger and TV western fans.

The Wednesday Sisters is a wonderful "chick lit" book for summer. It was a fast and fun read, but still had a bit of literary substance.

The Wednesday Sisters form a strong, supportive friendship that gets them through good and bad times, as well as creating a network to encourage creativity. I found the writing to be honest, warm, and sensitive. I also enjoyed the somewhat nostalgic look at the 60's, as well as the description of women's lives and attitudes then.

There are two small reasons I give this book four stars instead of five. First, the southern "charm" of Kath became a bit cliche and boring after awhile. Also, I felt that the auther jumped into the friendships without fully developing them.

In spite of the small weaknesses, I highly recommend this book.

There are no words to describe what this delicious novel will do for your soul. For those of us born during these decades, the memories will flow over as we remember, make connections and smile fondly at a lost, tucked away moment. This book did what no other book truly has done for me in quite a long time: it made me want the story to never end. These 5 women were so real and their hardships so true to life. The stigma of divorce, infidelity, and the pain of breast cancer ALL resonated in my own life. As a teacher of reading and a woman who has desired to write for so long, I actually found myself living through these charaters as if it were my very own life. There are books in the past that have touched me but none so deeply as Meg Clayton's book. I shall keep it, savor it, and pass it on to my friends so that they may savor it also. In fact, I have already praised it to highly that it is "promised" to 3 of my school teacher colleagues for their own enjoyment. This story is one not soon forgotten and the women will live on in your heart, thoughts, and on your bookshelf for years to come. Well done, Ms. Clayton. How you will ever top this book is the next question.

Five women - Frankie, Kath, Linda, Brett, and Ally - meet in their neighborhood park starting in the late 1960s. Together they write, read each others' writing, and weather all that life has in store for them.

Author Meg Waite Clayton hit the nail on the head with this one! I know I'm not saying much, but that's because I'm trying not to squee, which I know is not conducive to reviews. What can I say about The Wednesday Sisters without squeeing? The Wednesday Sisters really touched something in me - both their experiences writing and their experiences outside of writing. I had never really thought about what life was like for women just older than my mother, who was in junior high at the time of this novel. I knew that women have made strides forward in the last forty years, but I had no idea just how large those strides have been - imagine not being allowed in the New York Marathon simply because of your plumbing!

As an aspiring writer myself, this book is a treasure. It reminds me that writing is not just making one draft, and that even if you get sixty-two rejections, send it out again; number sixty-three could be an acceptance. That I don't have to write a great first draft, or even second draft - that's what revision and editing is for. That even though I'm just me, I can and should write and aspire to be published.

The Wednesday Sisters is a gem. I highly recommend it to all women, to aspiring writers, and to friends, or anyone with friends. So, everyone, basically. In fact, I've already asked my mother to read it, and believe that her book club will love this book.

"The Wednesday Sisters look like the kind of women who might meet at those fancy coffee shops on University --- we do look that way --- but we're not one bit fancy, and we're not sisters, either. We don't even meet on Wednesdays anymore, although we did at the beginning."

So begins Meg Waite Clayton's lyrical novel of the friendships forged among five different women who come together by chance. In the tumultuous years of the late 1960s, many females were involved in protest marches opposing the war or fighting for the women's movement. But in suburban Palo Alto, five ladies came together primarily because of their children. Being a mother is the first thing they had in common when they met at Pardee Park in those early days. Soon after, Frankie, Linda, Kath, Brett and Ally discovered that they all shared a love of books and a secret wish to write themselves. For Frankie --- a recent transplant from Chicago, with her husband and two kids --- to utter a desire out loud, even among friends, was terrifying: "It doesn't seem like much now, I know, to admit ambition to your closest friends. I guess you'll have to take my word for it: it was. It makes me a little sad when I look back on it, to think how very many women didn't have Wednesday Sisters, to wonder who they might have become if they had."

In admitting their passion for writing, the "Wednesday Sisters" begin to nourish lifelong bonds among themselves that transcend their literary goals. Linda, the frank, sometimes tactless one, lives with the fear that the disease that took her mother when she was young might do the same to her: "I grew up the child of a sick mother, and then the child of a dead mother. I couldn't imagine going back to that. I couldn't imagine putting my kids through that." Kath is a spitfire Southern belle dealing with issues in her complicated marriage. Brett is the ladylike brain, always attired in white gloves that conceal a hidden tragedy from her past. Ally is demure and soft-spoken, crumbling under the weight of fertility issues, who desperately wants to write a children's book to rival CHARLOTTE'S WEB.

When they first begin to meet on that playground, as their children play around them, each is taking a decisive step to move past her fears and express herself through writing. And in the words of Robin Morgan's seminal anthology from that time, they prove that "Sisterhood is Powerful." As they gain confidence in their writing and critiquing ability, they notice they are beginning to turn their keen eyes on the world that is changing all around them.

From the outset, they gather to watch the Miss America Pageant each year. At first, they enjoy it as frothy entertainment, but later they witness how the women's movement has affected this annual event, even their own opinions of femininity and what it means to be female. Through their weekly meetings and unwavering support, each faces moments when she flourishes and, yes, sometimes flounders. And each is buoyed by the others' strength and fortitude, through some of life's most difficult obstacles. Their little writing group has blossomed into something more --- it has become the foundation of lifelong friendships.

Meg Waite Clayton's stirring novel will appeal not just to those who secretly wish to be writers, but to anyone with a love of great books; anyone who has felt truly moved by a book or an author; and anyone who has had their dreams bolstered by good and faithful friends. It will speak volumes to fans of THE FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB and THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB. You'll want to share THE WEDNESDAY SISTERS with anyone who believes in the power of a good book --- to inspire those close to us, and for those who inspire.

--- Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller

In the late 1960s the five young mothers meet in Palo Alto at a park. They have plenty in common as they dream of being much more than just a wife and mother while hearing tales of the counter culture and the Summer of Love. The quintet love books especially those they can escape into so they can forget their somewhat tedious lives especially the household chores, but each sees a different role for the lead female characters based on what they dream they wanted.

Linda loves to run with the Olympics her fantasy goal. Brett literally wants to walk on the moon. Kath insists marriage is all she ever desired, but her four new pals with their aspirations make her wonder if there might be something in addition to being wife and mother. Ally, the only one without a child, wants a kid or three. The leader Midwesterner Frankie, who came to California as her husband came here to work at the fledgling computer business, hopes to be come a writer. THE WEDNESDAY SISTERS inspire each other to go after their aspirations and much more even when they seem impossible in a man's only world by writing and sharing their tales.

This historical sisterhood tale is an engaging look at the beginning of the "You've come a long way baby" feminist movement that brought women into many fields previously taboo epitomized by Hilary's run (the next one will go all the way). Each of the five women seems real due to their dreams to be more than identified through their husband and kids. Although their individual writings are too sweet even if they read valid for their place in late 1960s society, fans will enjoy this fine tale as before Sally Ride there was a real Brett out there trying to break out of the box.

Harriet Klausner

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RFRZFWR2LEKGA

I am a friend of Jan Dynes the author of the novel Refraction, she recommended that I get this book for my daughter who was floundering about, aimless and uninspired her Senior year of high school. Something in this book triggered her to engage in her studies and bring a D average up to a B plus in 6 weeks. Next thing I knew she was writing colleges for applications and then got accepted at Cal Tech. Before this book I would have bet on her being a drop-out. I highly suggest all high school and college students read this book! It works miracles.

Thomas Edison once noted that "Many of life's failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." Charles Clayton gives his readers a robust tool for the road to success in his book, "The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking." As I near the end of my current career and look forward to my next one, I have found a very valuable tool in Clayton's book. His writings recall to mind many of the concepts I learned in my early years, reinforcing their validity. And he provides new thoughts as well. This is the book I wish I had read decades ago; and yes, this is the book I wish I had written. A job well done, Mr. Clayton!

Jan Dynes author of Refraction recommended this book to me, for my son and I bought it at the L.A. Book Festival with the workbook. My somewhat directionless son actually enjoyed the way the material was presented and read each page and did each step and he is a changed kid. A big thank you to Chuck Clayton and books that mold and make a difference!

I really enjoyed this book, it told me things I'd forgotten and needed to be reminded of and also enlightened me to some new philosophy. I would have to recommend it to my high school students as a good start on their entering the work place.

I am using this book for my singles ministry class...I am very happy with the book...

"Victory in Singleness" is a great book if you can get into it. The way that it is structured, with the three sections of the book each focusing on a different emoiton, can be somewhat of a turnoff for people who do not feel they are struggling with a particular issue. However, if you remain open, you will likely find some helpful advice. I read it for a bookclub and it seemed to resonate more with women who have been single for longer periods of time and who may have dealt with more of these issues. I suspect that more people would be interested in this book if it contained more anecdotes to illustrate some of the points.

This book deliveres what it promises in that it has spiritually based advice for single women looking for a mate. I laughed a little, cried and prayed a lot when I saw myself in this book. It it self retrospective and you have to be prepared to look at yourself on the inside where you don't always let people see. For me this was the hardest part. It is biblically based so you will need your Bible. I am trying read it again and actually do every exercise with true conviction. I cannot say that I am emotionally at peace but this is a book worth reading. It doesn't say give you dating tips or how to pick up people or how to tell if he is lying or anything like that. I came across this book while watching a documentary about single black women that the author was one of the subjects so she is someone who speaks about this matter from the experience of someone who had been single for a while.

I encourage any women who's going through a tough battle as a single to read this book! This book is easy to read and very engaging. There are practical activities to help you work through difficult issues in your life. You benefit from taking the time to do them because they help you explore who you currently are and helps you embrace the person the Lord as called you to be! And the best part of it all is that it is grounded in scripture!

This is not just another book about how to get and keep a man, but rather this book takes you to a deeper level of self understanding, and more importantly understanding God. By reading this book you'll be inspired to seek first the kingdom of God and after that you'll enjoy the blessings he bestows upon you!

Be blessed!

This book was such a blessing to me.... It was pratical and gave many scenerios, insights and examples of how to have victory in your singleness. What I enjoyed most about this book is that it used many biblical principles and it was easy to read! I highly recommend this book to anyone that is searching for that inner peace and need directions as to how to walk in your singleness. Thank you Valerie and Jermone for allowing God to use you!!!

I thought the recipes contained in here were very good. There are all sorts of recipes that will suit everyones tastes, from Super Hot to Very Mild. Things that you never thought would go into a pickled egg recipe, such as chili pepper, ginger root, cinnamon, hot pepper sauce, jalapeno peppers, and Old Bay seasoning are in a lot of these tasty recipes.

This book also has amusing tidbits of information about the author and her family interspersed with the State of Missouri facts. I highly recommend this book if you or your family enjoys pickled eggs and "something different".

Here's a treasury of pickled egg recipes (more than 40),plus a mostly humorous collection of biographical highlights of author Violet May Steele/Clayton's very unusual life. There are also many , probably little-known facts about the state of Missouri, all in one convenient, spiral-bound book. Three different jars of eggs are pickling in our refrigerator right now, with Annie Campbell's Picnic Eggs (pg. 40) just test/tasted after 7 days in brine. They are outstanding and very mild! Divided between hot & spicy and sweet, there's a pickled egg here for everyone's taste, with added information on how to boil,peel and care for eggs. As a bonus, this must be the only book ever to be dedicated to a White Leghorn hen. Named Lady Macduff, this busy chicken holds the one-year egg-laying record of 303 eggs produced in 1913,according to the Oregon State Agricultural Experimental Station. This is egg-zactly (sorry!)the right gift for a cookbook collector, a true egg lover, or just a real fun read for anyone.

Beside having great recipes for pickled eggs, this book would make a great gift for anyone living in Missouri or from Missouri. It has many historical facts, along with some funny stories. Happy pickling.

Ultra-Violet's Pickled Egg Cookbook. Just another cookbook? Ha! At first glance this book reveals itself to be both shocking and practical. Shocking in that one does not expect to see a purple chicken in apron and high heels -- the nature of which is revealed once you get into the book -- and practical because it has stain resistant glossy covers and is spiral bound, thus allowing it to lay flat, making it ideal for the kitchen. Open the covers and you will find a cookbook like no other. The topic, pickled eggs, is perhaps a little unusual. I had no idea there were so many ways to pickle eggs. The recipes are excellent and they are guaranteed to change your taste for pickled eggs, but it is the presentation which is absolutely delightful. It makes this book worth having if you never pickle a single egg. The anecdotes, historical references and trivia, and the wonderful style in which their story is told that makes this book a winner. You won't be able to keep a smile off your face, perhaps not a tear from your eye and certainly not a giggle from invading your heart, as you read this one.

I love this cookbook. I never knew you could do so much with pickled eggs! The stories about Ultra-Violet were entertaining and heartwarming. I also enjoyed all the litte tidbits about the state of Missouri

I love the names of the recipes. I've never much cared for pickled eggs but I'm going to try some of these recipes. If Ultra-Violet's family enjoyed them all those years - they must be good!

Of all the business books I've read, and I have read a great deal more than most for my job, this is simply one of the best. It is well researched, yet also well written. Its lively, yet detailed, historical analysis brings out the lessons of business that are usually lost to time. This book has more intelligent things to say about the true sources of business success than ten of the best sellers combined, and is just as fun to read as any of them.

Gerard J. Tellis and Peter N. Golder methodically and empirically demonstrate that pioneers are rarely rewarded for their efforts at the end of the day. The confusion between pioneers and current market leaders lies in the exclusion of failures (survival bias), tendency for managers to refer to their own firm as the pioneer (social desirability or self-reports bias), and self-serving market definitions (self-serving bias). For example, the Gillette Company is the oldest surviving firm in the disposable razor market. However, the Gillette Company was not the firm that first commercialized the razor. Similarly, Intel was not the firm that first brought the microprocessor or CPU to the market, even it has been perceived as the pioneer in that industry.

Tellis and Golder brilliantly build on over a decade of in-depth research to show that vision, persistence, relentless innovation, financial commitment, and asset leverage are the real factors that drive the superior performance of enduring leaders like the Gillette Company and Intel.

1. In their examination of "Vision", Tellis and Golder take their distance from the traditional definition of that much abused business term. Often, vision is indeed synonymous with broad mission statements used to excite and inspire stakeholders of an organization. In Counter-intuitive Marketing, Kevin J. Clancy and Peter C. Krieg concurred that most companies do not have much of a vision (See especially pg. 74 - 86). Vision has two key components according to Tellis and Golder: 1. A focus on the often-decried mass market with its dynamic and evolving needs and 2. A unique perspective of serving that mass market. For example, in contrast to its top competitors, AOL has stressed from the beginning convenience, ease to use, community, and ubiquity. Similarly, McDonald's has stressed from the onset quality, service, cleanliness, and value to build a worldwide network of mainly franchisees for bringing fast food to the masses. In Product Strategy for High Technology Companies, Michael E. McGrath gives a good complement to Tellis and Golder's definition of vision by explaining it as an answer to three key questions: 1.Where does a firm want to go? 2. How will the firm get there? And most critical 3. Why will the firm be successful? (See especially pg. 12, 306, and 317).

2. In their analysis of "Persistence", Tellis and Golder debunk the myth that enduring market leaders usually achieve their success through luck or sudden breakthroughs. In fact, visionaries have the will to persist in their efforts through seemingly insurmountable obstacles, slow progress, and long time efforts. The origin, early struggles, and ultimate success of Federal Express showed how important the vision and persistence of Fred Smith, its founder, made the difference at the end of the day. Similarly, the ultimate success of xerography after 13 years of research was due to the unwavering faith of former Xerox (Haloid)'s CEO, Joseph Watson in the underlying technology.

3. In their approach to "Relentless Innovation", Tellis and Golder remind their audience about the importance of firms not resting on their laurels. Technology and consumer tastes constantly change. Tellis and Golder rightly identify complacency with past successes, bureaucracy, managerial occupation with current customers and competitors, and fear of cannibalizing existing products as the four enemies of the relentless pursuit of innovation. For example, the earlier history of the Gillette Company clearly indicated that its success led to complacency and arrogance detrimental to its market leadership several times. Quoting Andy Grove, one of the founders of Intel, "Only the paranoid survives." In Product Strategy for High Technology Companies, Michael E. McGrath gives a good complement to Tellis and Golder's examination of both time-based and cannibalization strategies (See especially pg. 219 - 234 and 257 - 271).

4. In their study of "Financial Commitment", Tellis and Golder demonstrate that visionaries show persistence in their ability and willingness to raise and commit financial resources whatever the obstacles in their way. For example, Federal Express was on the brink of bankruptcy for years before it finally took off. Similarly, King C. Gillette, one of the co-founders of the Gillette Company, struggled not only to launch the eponymous company but also to raise the capital necessary to commercialize his disposable razor for years.

5. In their dissection of "Asset Leverage", Tellis and Golder look at how generalized and specialized assets can be mobilized for dominating a product category. Tellis and Golder rightly identify the extent to which the new product category does or appears to threaten the old product category, a strict focus on costs, myopic view of markets, and bureaucracy as the four major hindrances to leveraging assets. Xerox squandered more than one opportunity to leverage its assets to adopt and commercialize the revolutionary discoveries of its Palo Alto Research Center for years. In contrast, Microsoft showed sacrificing several products in development as the way to catch up with the competition after it had initially misjudged the potential of the Internet revolution.

Tellis and Golder also remind their audience that the relative importance of the five factors mentioned above varies by firm and market characteristics: new firms, established firms competing in established markets, and established firms entering new, yet unrelated markets (See pg. 265 and 266).

To summarize, Will and Vision by Gerard J. Tellis and Peter N. Golder is like The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen a major contribution to a better understanding of how markets really work.

In Will and Vision, the authors refute the theory that first-movers have an overwhelming advantage, and replace it with the idea that seven factors, that can be summarized as will and vision (hence the title of the book) are instead the factors that permit companies to dominate markets.

First, the author performed an in depth empirical study that included 43 different industries at different times in order to show that the original entrants in many markets were not in fact the current leaders. Instead, the authors offer the following seven factors as the main ones in determining whether firms became leaders in their markets:

* Envisioning the Mass Market - Examples include P&G with Pampers disposable diapers for everyone instead of for travelers only and Kodak with photographs for the non-professional.
* Uniqueness of Vision - Examples include Tim Berners-Lee and the development of the WorldWideWeb and King Gillette's view of the razor market.
* Persisting Against All Odds - Examples include Bill Gates' persistence that landed him the operating system contract with IBM and Haloid's persistence over a decade that created Xerox.
* The Need for Relentless Innovation - Examples include Moore and Noyce leaving Fairchild Semiconductor to found Intel and the relentless pace of innovation there, and Gillette's close brush for lack of innovation in the 1960s and its ensuing fast pace since.
* Organizing for Innovation - Examples include HP's organization beating Xerox and IBM at the laser printer market, and Netscape beating Mosaic by taking talent and rewarding it.
* Raising and Committing Financial Resources - Examples include Fred Smith's almost bankruptcy to keep FedEx alive and Amazon sacrificing profits for a long period in order to achieve its envisioned mass market level of service.
* Leveraging Assets Despite Uncertainty - Examples include IBM losing the PC battle because it did not want to hurt its mainframe sales, and Charles Schwab's leadership in web trading after it chose to focus on it and sacrifice off line higher margins.

Overall, I found it a very good entertaining book, with anecdotes that help support the ideas the authors suggest. I strongly recommend it.

This book comes out with a hypothesis challenging conventional thinking which assumes that pioneers dominate markets. Collecting and analyzing historical data from over 66 industry segments the conclusions by the authors is baffling. This is not a case where statistics is used conveniently to support untested theories using available tools to prove a point. The approach to understanding market dominance and the role of pioneers and followers is path breaking. Contrary to common belief, data shows that in many cases the pioneers have as little as 9 % market share. The ingredients for success are therefore not being there first, but doing the right things.

Five factors that emerge as key to ensuring long term success and market dominance are Vision, Persistence, Financial Commitment, Innovation and Asset leverage- factors that are structurally related in a causal chain starting with a clear vision for a mass market. There are innumerable examples and detailed cases where the inability to see a mass market for innovative products has resulted in late comers grabbing the market from incumbents. Fear of cannibalization of existing products, bureaucracy, complacency, are some other causes that stifle growth.

After explaining the hypothesis, a good and crisp summary of the conclusions from the historical data, every chapter proceeds sequentially to substantiate the findings. This is a rare combination of business history, statistical analysis and strategy. It is this unique combination and the unconventional wisdom that is bound to make this book a classic in its own right. The range of products covered varies from diapers to couriers and computers. IBM, Microsoft, Fed Ex, Xerox, Gillette are some companies that are discussed in detail.

Comparing it with other books on similar research, my prescription for business would be:

Innovators Dilemma + Will and Vision + Built to Last + Good to Great = Road to Market dominance.

Highly recommended.

Few business principles engender as much faith among people as the principle of the pioneer's advantage. For example, Ries and Trout, in their book on the 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, boldly state the "first immutable law of marketing" to be "It's better to be first, than it is to be better." Brand recognition, brand loyalty, consumer inertia, network effects, experience effects, access to distribution channels - these are all reasons for why the first movers in a market could have an advantage over others in the quest for market domination. Consultants, academics, and managers note the many examples of pioneers who appear to have done very well in their markets. Look, they say, at Gillette (in safety razors), Hewlett-Packard (laser printers), Microsoft (PC operating systems), and Amazon.com (online bookselling). All of these cases appear to prove the pioneer's advantage.

Tellis and Golder argue quite convincingly that these examples prove exactly the opposite: pioneers are much more likely to be cursed to failure than blessed with long term success! The authors show that the real pioneers in the markets listed above are not the current market leaders. Gillette entered the safety razor market in 1903, but a company called Star, they find, had already introduced a safety razor in 1876. H-P entered the laser printer market in 1984, but IBM had one on the market in 1975. Microsoft introduced MS-DOS in 1981, but Digital Research had introduced its CP/M operating system back in 1975. Amazon.com entered the online bookselling business in 1995, but Clbooks.com/books.com was selling books online in 1993. Most of these pioneers are forgotten now - many are long dead. Yet the myth of the pioneer's advantage lives on.

Using new and detailed historical research, Tellis and Golder systematically debunk the myth of the pioneer's advantage. The book refutes much conventional wisdom, and wonderfully weaves together hard data and vivid business stories to argue its thesis. Tellis and Golder are two of the world's leading experts on market entry and long term success. Their prior research has had a major impact on the academic business community. Yet if current and recent business practice is any indicator, few managers seem to be aware of the lessons that emerge from this remarkable stream of research. One only needs to think back at the Internet gold-rush to see this point.

The bulk of the book is on the question: If pioneering does not explain market dominance, then what does? Again, Tellis and Golder bring fresh, unorthodox insights to this question. They organize the answer to this question along two dimensions: Vision and Will. Their arguments force one to rethink several common precepts. For example, they challenge the very notion "vision" as it's currently understood. Similarly, they point out that dominance is often seen as a function of luck, or being at the right place at the right time. In fact dominance is more a function of small, incremental innovations in design, manufacturing, and marketing over many years. Indeed, it took Procter and Gamble (a latecomer) 10 years of persistent planning and research to find success in the lowly disposable diaper market.

Overall, the book is provocative and compelling, meticulously researched and highly practical. The case studies alone are worth the price of the book. But the novelty and persuasiveness of the insights make it one of the finest works on business strategy.

Craig Mathew's brief but detailed writings for each water is just great and stating plain facts. It's even just fun to read. Also, his store "Blue Ribbon Flies" is probably the best in West Yellowstone. Fly-fishing guides are very experienced and the store has lots of fly-tying material in high grades. I also recommend to review Craig's other book "Fly Fishing the Madison". That's also well-written with his smooth and detailed explanation. SY

Craig Matthews gives you great information and helps the reader pick and choose where to fish in YNP. With Matthews knowledge of the Park and insect activity it's hard to go wrong with this book. Great information on hatches,locations and whether the hike is worthwhile to take make this a great book. If you are planning on fishing YNP you need this book. I would also purchase his dvd on fishing Yellowstone National Park and on fishing the Madison.

This guide provides very detailed information on the rivers, streams and lakes in Yellowstone National Park, the fly hatches and terrestrials found on each (by month of year) and the best patterns to fish with. It also shows which fishing areas can be accessed by car and which require a long hike. I found it invaluable for planning a fly fishing trip to Yellowstone.

The "Go to Book" for fishing in the Park. Has all the information one needs to find "backcountry waters" as well as the "hotspots". I've fished Montanna for the last 7 years, but have never fished in the Park until last year. This book cut the learning curve by a considerable margin. Not only does he unleash his considerable knowledge of the "spots". He is very complete in informing the angler of the certain flies and times of the year to use them. I read this book practically every time I sit down to the flybench. Just to jog my memory on what to prepare for the coming trip. I wsih I had bought this years ago and fished the park alot earlier in my years. Could have cut alot of corners! Thanks Craig---great job!

This book is easy to use and extreamly useful. It splits the park up into four regions, tells you where (or not to) fish, and where to start looking in your flybox. I have used it the last 3 or 4 years and will use it as long as I vacation in Yellowstone. I have looked at several books on fishing in Yellowstone and this is by far the best that I have found.

This was a fast-paced read. I loved the characters and the story

After reading the 7 reviews praising Donna Clayton's, Her Dream Come True, I decided to get the book. I had great expectations! Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. In my opinion, the story lacked action, it was slow moving, and .... I was bored. I did not care for the heroin's (Hannah) personality, I felt she was weak, and I thought some scenes were silly.

I find Miss Clayton's romances to touch on real matters that women of our generation face. This book made me cry and laugh. Only a writer with a compassionate heart would chose a subject like this and spin a great romance out of what could be sorrow. A definite "read-again". I'll keep this one on my "special shelf". Thank you , Miss Clayton for another special story. I can't wait for her next one.

That's all I have to say

Hannah Cavanaugh is coming home to meet a special sister she hasn't seen since childhood, determined to take care of her. While Hannah tries to sort out her sister's needs, she has to deal with her own needs as well -- her growing need for Adam Roth, Tammy's neighbor and informal guardian. Adam and Hannah seem at odds about everything that's important -- what Tammy needs, what's important in life. The one thing they can agree on is they're totally wrong for each other. So why can't they seem to maintain their distance?

For lovers of traditional romances, Her Dream Come True is for you.