Coleman Books

Interior Design Magazine and McGraw Hill Publishing teamed up to produce an essential handbook for the interior design profession. For the first time there is a handbook that covers essential issues from sustainability to legal issues, team dynamics to strategic and global practices. This is not just a book for the interior design professional library, but one for students and for practitioners of related fields--including architecture, business, and project management. Editor-in-Chief Cindy Coleman is a well-regarded journalist and designer who has assembled a remarkable group of top-notch minds--the best and the brightest in the evolving field of interior design who have contributed to a handsome book. This handbook will be a "must-have" for all practioners. Kudos to Interior Design magazine for developing this authoritative volume. Includes a list of contributors with biographies that are stellar!

Interior Design Handbook of Professional Practice. Edited by Cindy Coleman; Published by McGraw-Hill and Interior Design Magazine. This book presents sensible new information and is indispensable to the libraries of all design firms. You'll especially enjoy the chapters on "Growing A Profession," Intelligent Interiors" and "Information Technology." This is more than a reference book-it's an inspriation.

First, I have to say that I'm biased because I'm a former student of Prof. Coleman's (Multivariable Calc and ODE's). But I was happy to see that he had written a PDE book and I bought it so that I could relearn PDE's, since the PDE course I had wasn't so great. I haven't been disappointed. I've read most of the first six chapters so far - the book is easy to read and the explanations are clear. There are tons of homework problems and applications. However, I don't have access to MATLAB so I can't really comment on that aspect of the book.

I used this book for the first time this past semester. It is well written, although a bit informal for my taste (although the students seemed to like it). There are numerous exercises, although sometimes too many of the plug-and-chug variety, and I wish there were a few more of the highly challenging problems. The order of topics is exactly the way I like it, except that Chapter 5 is a little out of place. However, in a course like this I think it may be impossible to find a natural place for the method of characteristics. Most texts put it first, which doesn't seem right for a course that emphasizes Fourier methods. For our course, I interchanged Chapters 5 and 6. The MATLAB is not heavily integrated. That is a good thing, for a couple of reasons. It means that the mathematics, and not MATLAB, is the main focus, and it allows the text to be used with or without it. We did use MATLAB and it worked well. Overall, this was a good basic introduction to the subject. It steers a course between mathematical rigor on the one hand, and computation, physical intuition and applications on the other, and it does so quite well. I could envision its being used for a higher level course for scientists and engineers, though not for a course with a more theoretical bent.

This book is a must read for anyone that has lost an animal family member. This is a book that I will buy and keep on hand for others that find themselves in the situation of having to deal with loss.

A poignant, provocative story of dogs and their importance in our lives. Communicative, intuitive companions, dogs provide opportunity and assistance for human learning and growth. This book presents unique observations of the canine world, gleaned over the author's lifetime involvement with these special creatures. The author discusses the significant bonding of humans and dogs, provides comfort and insight into the grief and pain of pet loss and offers a fresh perspective on the spiritual nature enbodied in our noble friend, the dog. I have given copies to over 8 people, all loved this book!

I liked the book, "Kentucky Keepers." The stories were so good that I read it in a week- not bad for a 12-year-old( I am an honor student, though.) I really enjoyed the character's adventures in love. I live in Kentucky and like to read books from our local authors. My all-time favourite authors are Teresa Phillips, Bobbie Ann Mason, and, now, Jennifer Johnson!!!

Also recommend, "Leaving Lancaster County", by Teresa Phillips, "Amish Cooking with Sicily Yoder, ", and "In Country", by Bobbie Ann Mason

The book Kentucky Keepers is definitely a keeper--even for someone like me who doesn't fish! I laughed and cried along with the four heroines who each make the catch of their lives in finding the mate God has for them in the area surrounding the fictional Canyon Lake. Each story centers around an annual fishing tournament. Besides catching fish, souls are won to the Lord and lives are changed forever. If you like happy ending, you'll love Kentucky Keepers and each of the four novellas by Lynn Colemen, Jennifer Johnson, Gail Sattler, and Kathleen Y'Barbo.

This is one of my favorite preschool story time books. It seems like a cute little story about an owl, but at closer analysis it is packed with tons of info and lessons that are right on target for the preschool set. First we learn what "lazy" behavior looks like, then the important lesson of what is an emergency (and what is NOT an emergency). Ozzie tricks all of his farm animal friends into helping him avoid his mother's request to learn to fly. In the process, we learn about seriation in farm animal size (high horse, not quite so high cow, etc.), animal habitat (sty, pasture, duck pond), rhyming (big pig), alliteration (short sheepdog, dinky duck!), peer relations, and honesty. Kudos to the author for fitting all of that into one story. An extra plus for lap-reading-- mother owl is hiding on every page to watch what Ozzie is doing. It's fun to find her! I'd give this 10 stars if I could.

This is a cute book about an owl who doesn't want to learn to fly. The illustration is bold and eye catching. My son loves the book. I had to read it every night for about 2 weeks.

As I began to read this collection of essays, I was reminded of Vince Lombardi's assertion that leaders are made, not born. "And they are made just like anything else that has ever been made in this country -- by hard effort and that's the price we all have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal." I was also reminded of The Managerial Moment of Truth in which Bruce Bodaken and Robert Fritz offer what they characterize as a "gestalt" of mutual exploration and learning. As they explain, the "managerial moment of truth" (MMOT) occurs when a supervisor and someone for whom she or he is directly responsible share a face-to-face interaction during which both are completely honest with each other about a given situation or issue. These interactions can involve praise and recognition for performance "above and beyond the call of duty," constructive criticism offered in response to unacceptable performance or inappropriate behavior, or collaboration on the solution of a problem or obtaining an answer to an especially important question. These and other interactive situations offer unique, potentially invaluable learning opportunities to create a shared experience during which an important truth is revealed. They also nourish mutual respect and trust.

What we have in these ten personal accounts are dozens of "leadership moments" recounted by associates of the ARC Leadership Group, edited by Claire Gerus with an Introduction by Rick Brydges. Each reveals important lessons about leadership in circumstances when difficult choices must be made. In their book Judgment, Noel Tichy and Warren Bennis characterize such decisions as "good judgment calls" that are at "the core, the nucleus of leadership." Brydges refers to it as "leadership in the trenches," moments that provide "a window in which converging circumstances stimulated the exercise of effectual leadership."

It is important to note that most (if not all) of these leadership moments are shared by those at all levels and in all areas of organizational structure. In my opinion, that is a key point because there are already so many books that examine great leaders throughout history such as Moses, Alexander, Queen Elizabeth I, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and more recently Winston Churchill, Mohandas Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela. We quite rightly admire them but cannot identify with most (if not all) of them whereas we can with those who share their experiences in this book.

For example, with Martin J. Boyle who was a district security manager in his company when it volunteered a DC-8 to transport much needed supplies to Armenia. At one point, he made a decision that "was probably career-limiting (if not suicidal) and I did not expect anyone [among senior management or on his team] to agree with me...Conversely, it was very likely that anyone who did assist me would incur unpleasant repercussions from my boss."

We can also identify with Arthur L. Jue who was a relatively new employee at IBM, an entry-level mainframe programmer, when a "firing blitz had begun, but hardly a humane one" at IBM (its first "but sadly not the last") and terrified employees were darting around his building, "seeking support from their peers, and trying to elude the [armed guards] who were assigned to escort them out." How to react? What to do? Would he be among those to be hauled off "like a common criminal [to] the "containment room"? He explains how he formulated what he calls "spirit-centered leadership" amidst the mayhem.

And we can also identify with Carolyn Salerno who was at one time employed by Science Research Associates. Responsible for publication sales in public, charter, and private schools for five Southern California counties, she had to make a decision whether or not to accept a "compelling challenge" presented to her. If she accepted it and failed, "not only would my current job and professional credibility be shattered, but my employer's reputation could also be deeply tarnished."

The process by which these and other decisions were made as well as the nature and extent of their decisions' consequences are best revealed within the context of the chapter in which each situation is presented.

Although there are significant differences between and among those who recall their "leadership moment," all of them had to make a pivotal decision. As I finished reading the last chapter, I was again reminded that those who make "good judgment decisions," even especially courageous decisions, are not necessarily great leaders. However, they are nonetheless admirable as they illustrate why Dante reserved the last and worst ring in hell for those who, in a moral crisis, preserve their neutrality.

Praise for Leadership Moments:

"An insightful, thought-provoking volume. These engaging stories highlight actionable principles that teach us how to lead at a higher level--with heart and soul. I couldn't recommend it more highly."
--Ken Blanchard
Co-author, The One Minute Manager® and Leading at a Higher Level

"A wise person learns from experience--a wiser person learns from someone else's experience. Read this book and learn from some amazing experiences!"
--Marshall Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Co-editor, The Leader of the Future
Named by Forbes as one of five top executive coaches

"Leadership is everyone's business. You'll never know when opportunity will knock, and you'll be asked to answer the call to take you places you've never been before. The key, as these stories relate, is exploring the inner territory and liberating the leader within."
--Barry Z. Posner, Ph.D.
Dean, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University
Co-author, The Leadership Challenge and A Leader's Legacy

"...a marvelous collection reminding readers that leadership is within the reach of every man and woman. I wholeheartedly recommend it."
--James O'Toole
Author, Creating the Good Life

"There are watershed events in all our lives that send us on a new trajectory. This is an outstanding compilation of such moments. Best of all, it is written with such deep insight that we can all gain from it."
--Jack Zenger, D.B.A.
CEO, Zenger-Folkman
Co-author, The Extraordinary Leader

"A no-nonsense primer on how to lead with conviction in a world of uncertainty."
--Hon. Rod Diridon
Executive Director, Mineta Transportation Institute

"Full of spirit, this book inspires readers to develop their own leadership presence through sustainable values and a systems perspective. One of the best leadership books I have read and among the few I recommend to my clients and students."
--Prasad Kaipa, Ph.D.
CEO, The Kaipa Group
Council of Trustees, Society for Organizational Learning

"Compelling stories of courage and leadership, full of candid, behind-the-scenes details."
--Joyce Osland, Ph.D.
Lucas Endowed Professor of Global Leadership, San Jose State University

"These lessons in leading change are a unique blend of theory and practice. If you like stories with morals, you'll love these narratives!"
--Brad Maihack
Corporate Controller, Hewlett-Packard OpenView Software Business

"Exemplary standards for leaders. Authentic, practical, and right on target! I enjoyed the book immensely."
--Dave Heagerty
Chairman, Coakley Heagerty

"A powerful and engaging book with vital leadership principles conveyed through masterful storytelling!"
--Gloria Abe, D.M., SPHR
Co-founder, Tyson Leadership College, Tyson Foods, Inc.

"...unique personal perspectives on how, by coming face to face with major life-changing dilemmas, we can provide effective leadership to others."
--Gary Silver, M.D.
Biotech Strategy Associates

"These stories of leadership in the face of adversity are an inspiration to all who strive to move their organizations forward."
--Deborah Ludewig, J.D.
Partner, Kirkpatrick, Lockhart, Nicholson and Graham

"Couldn't put it down until I finished--a must read for every aspiring leader!"
--Ed Cheng, M.D., Ph.D.
Biometric security and e-health pioneer

Leaves Of Chestnut Ridge is brilliantly written. Filled with wonderful detail... you KNOW the characters.

I couldn't put this book down, and I found it so easy to get lost in the characters and what happened with them day to day. It was very enjoyable, and I was sad to finish the book, because I had to say goodbye to (by then) some dear old friends.
Very much worth the time spent in reading this book.

This is the first book of Mr.Colemans I have read and I was very pleased.
I love short stories and this book held my attention all thru the book!
I will definately want to read more!

I have the first edition of Level Heads and was very excited to read this edition. The stories are surprisingly funny and often just downright surprising! The author offers insight into the inspiration for each story, making the plots and details even more intriguing. Coleman is a master of drawing you into the story and keeping you reading. If you are tired of the same old dusty, drawn out plots, this book is the remedy. Keeps you thinking long after you put it down. A must have!

After the great success of his previous three books, Jim W. Coleman brings forth "Level Heads" that has been much sought-after by his fans. The book is bound to offer its readers an ultimate experience of suspense and thrill. Coleman brings together an interesting compilation of short stories that seeks to explore the deepest recesses of the human mind. The thought-provoking stories are bound to keep the reader glued to the edge of the seat because of their surprise endings.

Written in a crisp language and captivating style, the short stories, transport the reader to the enchanting world of possibilities. The pieces are linked by an underlying theme of 'what-if-it-happened?' Each story, which is more like a novella, ends with a stunning climax coupled with a moral.

Ranging from being scary to challenging, the stories take the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotional turns and twists. "The Winner" introduces reader to the life of Brock Tipton and his trip to a bar where each guest is required to tell a genuine story that can be verified in order to make use of the facilities offered therein. Tipton's story turns out to be too horrifying to be true, but it is. It is this sense of fascination and awe that marks the entire compilation. "The Enabler" portrays the quiet household of Sonja Poynter who is waiting for a change in her fortunes. But the wait turns out to be a very long one for her.

"The Haggle" is a tale of business transaction that turns out to be a ghastly nightmare for Gary Allen Short. "The Long Flight" is about a flight undertaken by Dr. Rob M. Powers and how the trip develops into a journey to a world of fantasy for the passengers in that flight.

Coleman's works reveal his skill in being able to paint a picture of amazing clarity. This book is sure to make it to the best-sellers' list.

Once again Jim has done it! With his short stories straight from the "Twilight Zone," Jim will not only get your attention, but send chills down your spine. Ever had the urge to quit smoking? Read "That Which the Surgeon General Missed." Think your significant other may be poisoning you? Read "The Enabler." Love to fish? You might think twice after reading "Harry Waddell's Pole." The other day I drove past a car dealership & had the urge to buy a new car, but then I remembered "The Haggle" & thought twice about it. This book is another one of Jim's masterpiece's, a must have. If you love intrigue, suspense, & a cold chill running down your spine, do not pass up the opportunity to read this book. If you do, "The Sick Man" may just come to haunt you.......

My mother read this book to her Grandchildren. Some of their fondest memory's were Grandma Betty reading this book to them. When she recently passed away they all asked for a copy of this book even though they are now in their 20s. Through Amazon/Mr Coleman we were able to grant their wish. Great book to read to your kids and Grandkids. They will no forget.

I remember my parents reading out of this book when I was a child. My brothers and I always looked forward to our family devotions when our parents pulled out this book. Not only was it a good book for teaching children Biblical principles, but it also taught us interesting facts about animals. Now that I have children of my own, I am getting my own copy of this book to share with them.