Floyd Books

This is a good book that does a good job in explaining some of the elemental principles of creative thinking. It's value is that it might inspire a reader to really research the field of creative thinker further than the author has.

This is a good introduction to the basics of creative thinking for the unitiated. It details some of the principles of creative thinking and lays the foundation for creative thought. It will inspire readers to explore creativity in more depth.

This book is a terrific guide to generating creativity! Full of tips and techniques, Floyd makes the creativity process easy to understand and replicate within our own team environments. If you are interested in "rousing creativity" around you, this is definitely a must read.

Part 1 of Rousing Creativity not only challeged me to rethink the way I've always done things, it also gave me a realistic way to make NEW decisions. The rest of the book has given me concrete and clear ways to generate and implement NEW ideas. I'm anxious to bring these ideas to the people I work with and show them HOW they can be more creative (making my life much more interesting). One thing I really like is that it's a quick, easy, and enjoyable read. I know I'll be referring back to Rousing Creativity many times in the coming months!

I hate books on creativity. They can generally be summed up as long-winded restatements of "just be more creative" and are based on one or two catchy phrases. Worse, they don't seem to be very creative. Not so with Hurt's Rousing Creativity.

I like this book. It's different from practically every other book on creativity I've read. Starting with a set of philosophical principals, Hurt's book focuses on what I can _do_ to be more creative. Once the principles are explained, he then goes on to provide a simple but complete toolbox for practical applications of the principles. I know, the other books give you things to do too, but this book gives them to you in the context of the underlying, fundamental principles, the theory behind Rousing Creativity. The philosophical depth of the simple principles set's Hurt's work apart.

The book is not particularly long. It contains a lot to think about and a lot of forms and exercises to help in the work of creative problem solving. It challenges the reader to stop and think about personal beliefs, decisions and actions. I think this book will be a very valuable addition to the library of anyone who's work requires thinking and problem solving, or who wishes it did.

Hurt leaves you with the idea that creativity is a way of looking at the world, a way of life, not a parlor trick or collection of buzz words. Get a copy of Rousing Creativity. Read it. Act on it. Rousing Creativity is more than just another book on creativity.

First a confession - I have not read this book, but I have read essentially all of its content through the Empire Burlesque blog. The work is consistently accurate, passionate, and frightening, as it details the US's descent into a neo-capitalist, fascist state. Chris Floyd nailed massacres in Iraq well before they were noted at other web sites. If this book has a flaw, it is its proclivity to project a kind of inevitability as the US morphs its Constitution to permit a Soviet style dictatorship and how it uses its all volunteer armed forces to support a burgeoning US corporate/military empire. I believe that the US does have the opportunity to reverse these tendencies with a change in political party. At least this is a possibility not discussed seriously by the author. This is, nonetheless, a well written book that should be considered an alarm for people who care about the country and our world.

Floyd nailed it earlier than most... despite death threats while he was working for the Moscow Times, Floyd was painting the picture far before everyone else post 9-11.

And he painted it well.

This book - a collection of Floyd's work - is essential for those who want to piece together the bigger picture.

Chris Floyd is one of a handful of writers on the political scene who report the truth and don't hold their punches. Mr Floyd's varied life experiences here and abroad give him an excellent perspective on what is really happening in American politics - and it's not lame, pro-Democratic Party reactionism, but a true analysis of what the current regime is doing. The only way to get beyond 'business as usual' with either major party is to have a clear understanding of what is really going on and of the real agenda of those in power, as well as what is truly at stake - elements totally lacking in mainstream journalism. Chris Floyd is one of the most important writers today who can help provide that understanding, and I strongly encourage readers to check out his work.

Leftie ranting and raving, and I am left of center! Do not buy this claptrap! Low on facts, the few facts are spun out of control repeatedly as mantra that Republicans in general and "W" in particular are hell bent on a one track race to ostracize the US. Things are a bit more complex than this book acknowledges.

C.F.'s blog is always my first read of the day. If you want to see a pen with sparks flying, look within this book. In the unlikely genre of a lowly newsman's best-of comes a philosophical work of the highest order. With the vocabulary of a Pynchon, the sarcasm of a Marx and the moral clarity of a Tolstoy, this literary Rocky comes out pounding the underbelly of our pompous empire. I have no doubt that in a fair fight, i.e., parliamentary debate, this guy could mop the floor with the likes of Hannity and Limbaugh, not to mention Bill Cut-His-Mike O'Reilly. If we ever become the constitutional republic to which we aspire, this book will be pointed to as seminal. But if not, herein is the flowering republic, "straining against the cold, before the petals have to fold".

I, at first, scoffed at this story of David Gilmour's Black Strat; however, the more I thought about it, the more I believed that it would offer something of a storied journey. This proved to be a good historical read and journey of not only David and Phil Taylor, Daivid's Guitar Technician, but also of the journey of the Black Strat and several other Floydian Guitars. I am glad that I purchased and read this account.

I was highly anticipating my copy of this book after having read a review of it in GUITAR WORLD Magazine. I'm a huge fan of both Pink Floyd and the Fender Stratocaster, and it just felt "right" for me to own such a book. As soon as I received it I read it cover to cover in a few hours, all the time worrying that I would be disappointed with a mediocre tribute to David Gilmour's iconic guitar. I'd like to say now that this book is ANYTHING BUT DISAPPOINTING. In the book Phil Taylor lovingly and meticulously chronicled the "ordinary stratocaster guitar that David bought at Manny's in 1970", but which eventually became the iconic Black Strat which David used for most of his landmark guitar melodies and solos throughout the pinnacle years of Pink Floyd and through his solo career. The book is rich in photographs of Dave performing with the Black Strat as well as close up shots of the guitar as it went through its many modifications throughout the years (which I particularly enjoyed). Phil Taylor wrote with devotion, and gave me a sense of the tremendous impact that this plain guitar has had on the music culture. It seemed that Phil had more of a sense of this than even Gilmour himself (no offense, Dave) who "never treated the guitar with any reverence" and "just considered it a working tool". It seems Phil felt strongly that the Black Strat's story should be told, and having read the book myself, I heartily agree. My hat's off to you Phil. This is a must have book for die hard Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, and Fender Stratocaster fans everywhere.

I've always liked Pink Floyd. I've never really been a huge fan but I've always appreciated their music and have enjoyed their live videos. I'm a guitar player and I enjoy music history and I loved this book. It's not only detailed regarding all of David Gilmour's guitars (especially of course the Black Strat), but it gives a great history of the band and the changes they went through as they went from experimental art band to the mega superstars who could fill arenas and stadiums. Phil Taylor knows his stuff and doesn't leave a thing out. I appreciate the deatil he has put into his work, making it a fun and entertaining read. The pictures are great and varied and I enjoyed this book a lot. It encouraged me to revisit my Pink Floyd CD collection and appreciate David Gilmour and co. again. Experimental and not afraid to take chances, catchy and commercial without trying. And David Gilmour is one extra cool MoFo. Thanks for the book...

A pleasant read. Not enough technical information for me. I would have liked more specifics regarding the mods David attempted with the guitar and why he abandoned them.

Very nice and unusual illustrations and photo's. A must read for a fan of David Gilmour.

First off, this book is an interesting read for any David Gilmour fan. However, I feel that the people who buy this book are interested in some technical guitar information. The average Pink Floyd fan would probably not be interested in this book to being with.

The book primarily tells the history of David's Black Strat. There is some coverage of his Telecasters and Lewis guitar. It briefly discusses what tours and albums he used the Black Strat on, but not with any real specifics. A page or two on Dark Side, one page on Wish You Were Here, a page or two on Live at Pompeii. Nothing really detailed.

My disappointment was the lack of technical info. There is talk of David's mods, or attempted mods, but again, no specifics; literally, a paragraph or two. I wish there was more in-depth talk about the pickups, wiring, and little tips and tricks. Like I said, nearly everyone that buys this book, not only likes David Gilmour, but they probably play guitar themselves, and are looking for some tips to try on their own guitars, or really nail that sweet Gilmour tone.

All that being said, I enjoy the book. It's not that expensive and it is interesting to read about the history of some of David's guitars. I was surprised there was no talk of the "#1" Strat. If you're looking at this book hoping to find some real specific guitar info, you'll be disappointed. I wish Phil made it half technical manual and half history book. Maybe a third edition will have the specifics on pickup windings, mod wirings, tricks, failed mods, etc.

This book is very broad based and applicable to those delving into the arena of fasting. Foundationaly sound, this book pulls the most relavant scriptures for the legitimacy of fasting even in our "modern" times. Not only is this book convincing, it also gives practical advice for the hesitant follower. I thought it did a nice job of balancing the notion of fasting for the appropriate reasons yet not with the wrong motives. I'm not quite sure why he subtitles the book "10 secrets of spiritual strength" though, unless for marketing reasons. Overall, this is a good place to start if you're considering fasting.

I recently heard Ronnie Floyd on a Christian talk show where both he and the host had nothing but alcolades on the book. They gave me the impression that it was guidelines on how to go maximize your efforts of fasting and prayer to get closer to God. I couldn't get past the third chapter. Although he was sincere, it was nothing more than a testimonial of his love for his wife during her trial of cancer, which she won. It was not guidelines on how to prepare or to get the most out of a fasting/prayer experience, nor of the best routines for the process.

As we enter the 21st century, society is experiencing shortcomings in its moral fabric which pose a threat to the overall advancement of society. And where is the Church? Ronnie Floyd's book shows how prayer and fasting can be effective on a personal and church and level and if embraced by people nationally, can stem the tide and bring national revival. I appreciate the book because he intersperses narratives which help illustrate the 10 points. The book helps give a proper intellectual, mental, and spiritual mindset to have as one enters into a time of prayer and fasting. These disciplines, prayer and fasting, must be practiced effectively if revival is to be experienced in our personal and corporate lives.

Having just read Bill Bright's book The Coming Revival, I thought, what could Ronnie Floyd's book teach me in addition about Fasting & Prayer? DO NOT HESITATE to buy this book. It is excellent. The story behind Jonathon Edward's "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" is riveting. We are just leading our church into Fasting & Prayer now. I would recommend this book for anyone who is going to consider this incredibly powerful discipline. It took the gut-wrenching, illness of cancer in his wife, to bring him literally to his knees. It's those trials of life that strengthen us and teach us.

When I 1st purchased this book, I read the first three chapters and judged the book by basically it's cover. Luckily, I somehow kept getting drawn back to read more. I'm really glad I did for it turned out to be almost everything that I was looking for. I apologize to the Author for my quick and inaccurate assessment with my initial comments.

This book was a waste of money and time reading. No help with retirement for us.

The book shows view point from one woman and not from her husband.

There are other books on the market that are of more help with this topic.

RETIRED WITH HUSBAND by Mary Louise Floyd is Superwoman's New Challenge Defined. With the Baby Boomer generation reaching retirement age, senior years have to be redefined, and Floyd does so by naming the period Second Adulthood. Now that the pressure of having a career with demanding schedules and trying to balance home and family as well has ended, Superwoman does not settle for lolling around the house watching TV with a depressed husband who has nothing to do and feels demoted and useless. No! Her new challenge is to re-engineer her mate and their life by re-thinking retirement ideas and creating new challenges which her husband can command at home, entering a new career that makes her life easier and gives both partners time and energy for the fun things they have had to postpone until these years. The book has EXCELLENT ideas for putting the fun and energy into these years and creating the best time of life together. By all means, if you are retired or about to enter that phase of life, read this book! Her humorous tongue-in-cheek style make it fun to read, and her facts about the five decades of the Boomers' First Adulthood are insightful and interesting

Reviewed by Mary Simmons for Reader Views (11/06)

Geared towards other superwomen, "Retired with Husband" is author Mary Louise Floyd's challenge for baby boomers to head into their second adulthood - life after retirement - with as much passion, skill and enthusiasm as they tackled their first adulthood.

According to Floyd, Superwoman refers to, "that woman who proved she could be wife, mother, housekeeper, gardener, cook, family social chairperson, volunteer and wage earner." She writes from her own experience. A self-professed Superwoman, Floyd is also a retired educator who is living with her retired attorney husband. Together, they are facing the transition into life after work, which inspired the subject of this book.

On the road to a fulfilling retirement couples are faced with a series of challenges along the way. One of the first goals Floyd sets for superwomen is to help their husbands find their new identity since they can no longer define themselves by what they do for a living. She says this transition is easier for most women because they are already living multi-dimensional lives. With this new stage will also come new friendships, as well as the need to work on existing relationships. Superwoman will have to help her husband communicate empathetically in order to nurture relations with parents, children and friends.

Floyd says retirement does not have to be a swift descent into old age and dotage. In fact, she insists it will mean just the opposite for her generation. She advises retirees to do everything they can to find their gifts and live their lives to the fullest, through healthy living, risk-taking, volunteering, part-time work, consultation positions - anything that will allows them to, "be all that you can be - and haven't been yet."

Throughout the book Floyd keeps her sense of humor, using wit and keen insight to highlight her observations and strategies. While this book focuses on how marriages can survive and thrive during the transition into retirement, Floyd also includes many interesting historical and societal facts that give context to why the baby boom generation is the way it is. Although her generalizations sometimes seem a little too sweeping and stereotypical, this context is helpful to the reader in that it shows where the commonalities come from.

"Retired with Husband" is not just for superwomen of retirement age. As a single, twenty-something Gen-X female, I found the book was an interesting guide to the mindset of my parents' generation and a forecast to my own future. It addresses how all generations can learn to understand and empathize with each other through open communication and shared interests. I recommend it for all the superwomen out there who are trying to make the most of their lives.

In "Retired with Husband" the reader is taken on a journey into uncharted territory for baby boomers who are settling into retirement. Rather than an ending, it is cited as a delightful adventure into second adulthood, with new guidelines. Humorous and Empowering!
--Carolyn Porter, D. Div., author of "The Realness of a Woman" For more information and a free ebook entitled Stress Free Living visit drcarolynporter.com

Mary Louise Floyd, herself a retired educator, community active, empty-nested mother with a retired-corporate-attorney husband, writes with a very special expertise about the challenges, strategies, and necessities of being a "first wave boomer" and entering the senior citizen years of retirement. There has always been pressure on baby boomer women to "have it all and do it all". Often that continues into the retirement years with "superwoman" expectations in "partnership marriages". Mary Floyd articulate defines and discusses the concept of "baby-boom superwoman", the "Gray Divorce" phenomenon, the challenges superwomen face with their retired husbands (and the strategies to deal with them); steps to establishing long-term goals and their achievement, all illustrated through her own experiences as on of those baby-boom superwomen. Strongly recommended reading, Retired With Husband is written with with, humor, insight, experience, and will prove to be one of the most engaging and informative introductions to helping women (and men) in similar circumstances master the changes that are occurring in their lives as aging baby boomers themselves.

I purchased this book to review high school mathematics after being out of high school for over 10 years. It was a wonderful way to refresh my memory. Since I have no intention of taking the CLEP exam, I cannot vouch for its effectiveness for CLEP preparation but I can honestly say that if you are unsure of your level of mathematics aptitude or require a quick review this book is excellent. However, if you are looking for in depth explanations and need to be taught these concepts for the first time, it is not suited to this purpose. It is an excellent skeletal review book.

i used this book and it guided me through the steps i needed. i also used a decrepit "general clep study guide" book, whew....it's from '85 or something. but both covered everything given on the outline. i scored a 570!!!! definitely recommend!! oh, and know probability, it's everywhere on the test. and although listed on the outline, there were no binary numbers.

This book does not explain everything very well. It will show you problems and answers but lacks some explainations. Math is not something that can easily be learned from a book. Along with the book, I watched an Algebra class on the local college channel. I only watched about 5 classes but that was enough to explain everything the book does not - for this test anyway. I studied for about 8 hours and passed with a 560. I don't think I would have passed with so little effort if it was not for this book.

This book teaches a lot of concepts very well, but you may need some more learning (as I did) to fully cover yourself for the CLEP test. I took an online course to supplement.

While I appreciate the comprehensive coverage of the materials, I find that errors in examples, answers and explanations have no place in a book that purports to prepare one for a college level examination. I have yet to finish reading the book and have found several examples of poor editing, or typographical errors. The coverage, while certainly not in depth, should be adequate to prepare you to pass the examination, if you are already familiar with the material.

I, like many people, and many more to come, became a Pink Floyd fan after their best work had been completed. However, I (like many others) have been so taken with the music that I had to do some research on the somewhat mythological founder and now insane recluse. This book is a definite page turner for anyone who is truly interested in Syd Barrett or Pink Floyd.

This is an amusing enough read, though rambling and somewhat poorly written. We don't really gain too much of an understanding of the man or his music, but then information about both has always been scanty, and this books does its best to at least find out the truth about reported incidents of his life.

If you haven't heard Barrett's material, this book is a really good place to introduce yourself to the man behind Pink Floyd. If you have, this book will undoubtedly enlighten you on the origins of Pink Floyd and Syd's subsequent demise. Crazy Diamond is a thoroughly researched book which is sympathetic to Syd's material. It portrays him as a vulnerable person who couldn't cope with the pressure of having to perform, after having almost single-handedly written the Floyd's suberb debut album Piper At The Gates of Dawn. A fantastic read . . . buy this book!

A good enough book, full of stories, reminiscences, apocrypha. Unfortunately the writing is not that great, so all the trivia doesn't really give you a feel for who Syd Barrett was and why he's so fascinating. The definitive Madcap bio is still to be written, but for now this'll have to do...

Michael, 11 has Asperger's Syndrome. Although he is not portrayed as the sibling with autism issues, it is clear from the start that he shares a place on the autism/Asperger's (a/A) spectrum with his 7-year-old brother, Lawrence. Lawrence pronounces his name Orry and is referred to as Orry by his immediate family. Only Jane, 9 is neurotypical.

The childrens' father is a professional cellist and appears to be mildly affected; he travels frequently and does not appear to be actively engaged in their lives. Their mother makes blunt statements and belabors a point to death. Although she might not have Asperger's, these behaviors are very typical among the Asperger's population.

Michael has an abiding special interest in trains. Not only does he know arcane information about trains from the beginning of railroad history, he admits that he could talk about trains for all day. He even collects oddments from a local railroad to add to his massive collection of train memorabilia.

Orry is a very believable character with severe autism; he is marginally verbal and spends time rocking and echoing what he hears. He also likes to "come even" by sitting in a coat closet.

He does make overtures to Michael. One day when their mother could not drive Orry to his therapist, Michael takes him there on the train. From that point on, the brothers bond. Orry talks quite well during his session; once Michael learns that Orry can talk fluently, he encourages him to talk more. Since Orry has shown an interest in trains, Michael seizes this as an opening to communication.

This is an interesting book, given the fact that it was written in 1974. It is a good story about siblings, two of whom have very different forms of autism. It is possible that many readers might think Michael is the "non-autistic" brother, but that isn't so. Right off the bat it is clear that this boy has Asperger's. In recent years, the genetic link in re autism has been shown and it is not uncommon for more than one family member to have some degree of autism.

This children's story has been written for the family who has been affected by autism. No, it doesn't explain autism itself, but does describe those effects very well on the entire family unit. Cute story, that leads to hope for those affected. I enjoyed the author's exploration of the brother's relationship.

i could not finsih this book because the author did not decribe autism weell at all.

I just finished reading this book. It times it got confusing but it is pretty good.

Kemske writes with a dark humor that skilled in satire. And he lampoons the corporate world with just enough violence to make it interesting. You'll never want to go back to the office again! A great read.

I found the characters in this novel to be rather flat. They seemed not to care about anything or anyone around them, and didn't inpsire me to care about them either. It came to a half-hearted flat conclusion as well, with no reprucussions for anyone.

When I see drivers yacking on their cellphones in the evening rush hour, I know it's the pent up lunacy they sold their souls in exchange for corporate salaries with. Kemske must have temped in the corporate world to know it so well; he couldn't have had permanent employment in it and retain THIS kind of voice, full of Palahniukian savagery and Swiftian rage. It's riotous good fun and you'll recognize in it the "real" people who cut you off in traffic with their shiny new Jeep Libertys or Chevy Blazers. That is, unless you have the misfortune to know them more intimately.

Although Floyd Kemske jokes about being an obscure novelist, it is truly a shame that his pioneering books about downsizing, corporate cold-bloodedness and wacky HR policies are not more widely known. "Human Resources" possesses enough wit to entertain and challenge as it draws the reader into the ultimate in predatory workplaces. Lovers of Dilbert and corporate skeptics will enjoy the acid penned approach and even some HR types will smile at his depiction of an anti-personnel department. Kemske is somewhat of an acquired taste, but he is well worth your time.

This book, although not a classic, I agree, is a naked view of the war through the eyes of the soldier. This book addresses some of the most raw, most difficult things about war - the emotions behind the bloodshed. Previous writer may want to rethink their comments about the book, and read it for what it is - a bit of history through one man's eyes.

I guess we have finally reached the stage where anything written about the Vietnam War is considered a classic work. I was a student of the author in the late 70's, at which time his course requirement was purchase of this at the time unique work. One whole semester of this drivel. It was enough to make you wish you were in the foxhole with him and didn't survive. I guess if you suffer from flashbacks, this conjures up pleasant memories. What is next, poetry about the OJ Simpson trial, Chandra Levy or Desert Storm ? I guess it's easier to get published than we all realize.

Wilfred Owen, Britain's warrior poet of World War I, could not have done a better job of describing war from the warrior's perspective. Bryan Alec Floyd has written a masterful collection of poems. Lovely stuff, really.

I have never read a more honest look at Vietnam, Bryan explains what was really going on.