G Books

Bugaboo stroller, $800. Designer diaper bag, $400. Cost of raising a kid before he gets to college, $250,000. Journey to Parenthood book, $40. Value of that book, priceless. OK, enough with the MasterCard commercial. But in all seriousness, if you're going to spend a lot of money on baby gear, why not invest in a book that can make the transition to parenthood easier and more enjoyable? This book is a great investment. It won't get your baby to sleep through the night, but it can help you to think about issues that can be stressful and upsetting during pregnancy and new parenthood - marital tension (bickering, sex) , body image issues, identity issues (seeing yourself as a parent, spouse, professional), changes in your family life and routine. And if you can wrap your head around this stuff, you can deal a little better with the sleepless nights.

Journey to Parenthood is a responsible work of unbiased, interpreted research that presents a comprehensible guide to the psychological aspects of pregnancy for all partners involved. So often these all too important aspects are merely glossed over in pregnancy books. If you're expecting or are thinking of having children, read this book because mental preparation is more important than prepartion of the nursery for both you and your child.

This book is chock-full of all the information expectant parents will want (and should know) before baby comes. This book reassures soon-to-be parents that everything they're experiencing and feeling is completely normal - despite whatever else you may hear or read. And this is very comforting, since childbirth and parenting are so different for everyone. I highly recommend this book for anyone planning to have kids!!

There are a zillion parenting books out there, but this is one you should buy. It's a great mix of stories from real expectant and new parents - not just the cheery ones who claim everything is perfect! - and research on issues that arise when you're becoming a parent. It's fun to read about people's expectations going into parenthood, and then the reality of their "journeys to parenthood." A great read for expectant/new parents and the professionals (OB/GYN's, therapists, birthing coaches) who deal with them.

I read about the Journey to Parenthood on UrbanBaby and I love this book. It's like group therapy for expectant and new parents. People can commiserate and celebrate as they read anecdotes from the dozens of couples interviewed for the book. These couples share the good, the bad and the honest about the journey to parenthood. Balber and Barnes interviewed parents from various races, religions and socioeconomic statuses, including ad execs, bankers, CPA's, a massage therapist, an actor and small business owners. Includes the most up-to-date research available on kids and marriage, sex before and after pregnancy, body image issues during and after pregnancy, and postpartum depression. In short, this book talks about "what really matters" and helps you take a breather from all of the parenting hype.

It's the best overall workout, in a very simple program. Keep an open mind and a willing attitude to try your best, no matter what your current level of fitness is....you SHALL be challanged. This is an effective way to get in shape and increase your stamina, plus acheive a whole new level of fitness. The program works for anyone, the most helpful feature is being are able to chart your progress in the forms provided. There are various drills that can target specific sports if you so choose. Finding time to workout has always been my challange, but this technique takes less time and it's fun. When people see you IROPE for the first time, yes they will stare, but only to try to figure out HOW you are doing this so easily. Soon you will have all your friends joining in on the fun!

It's a great book, share it!

I'm a 36 year old aerobic instructor, runner, High-school volleyball and basketball coach, K-12th grade physical education teacher, and an all around athlete who is always looking for new and exciting workouts. I was sad when I found out that I had bursitis in my knees . The condition was from all the years of pounding on the hard gym floor and running on pavement. I was elated to read the book "Jumping Rope The Second Time Around". I thought that at first my poor knees would not take the jumping. I was not thinking of the innovative jumping technique taught by Mr. Carlos Coffman. The Irope technique does not put any stress on the knees, and the backward twirling of the rope does not fatigue the arms. Therefore I have the energy and endurance to rope longer. The book is very easy to follow. It is like having Mr. Coffman right by your side teaching you the Irope techniques. My daughter, who is 11, is learning to Irope . If you have a kid that does not like traditional sports, but will jump rope, Irope is probably something you might like to try. I live in the San Antonio area and we have been labeled one of the fattest cities. So my daughter and myself Irope at least 30-45 minutes 5 days a week. And she loves it, I love it. Irope is fun and challenging and we're exercising as a family. I can think of 6 reasons to Irope:
1. Inexpensive
2. Portable
3. The whole family can do it
4. Full body workout
5. It's fun
6. It works
Look for me in 4 to 6 months doing my first Irope race.

-Teresa

The book that arrived (as a gift) was a small spiral bound pamphlet that appears to be self-published. No one would have thought it should cost more than $8-$10. And there seems to be a religious/spiritual content; for example, there are quotes from "The Daily Word", The Holy Bible, as well as "Tao Te Ching".

This is an excellent way to stay in shape. I've tried it and it works! I commend the author for such an innovative and extremely easy way to jump rope and stay fit. Everyone should read this book. It's the best I've seen out there. Do yourself a favor -- buy this book, you will not be sorry.

...I have the book "Jumping Rope The Second Time Around" and it's very easy to follow along with. I am the first child to do the irope method. I'm surprised because it's so easy.... -Courtney Acklin

This is truly a fascinating book worth owning by anyone who is exploring Jung and consequently doing "inner work".

Dr. Eugene Pascal provides an illuminating book which clarifies many complex principles and concepts of Jung, bringing them into everyday reality. Most impressive are the chapters on on 'individuation', 'the shadow' and 'psychic wholeness'. His explanation of how symbols operate within dreams is quite outstanding. The most enjoyable chapter for me explained how myths and legends are enacted unconsciously within us. The author provides numerous examples of how archetypes, the anima and animus, and "the functions of consciousness", typology, helps us live in the world and resolve conflicts. How we "transform" ourselves is the main thrust of this book ... as Dr. Pascal observes ...in order to let our Light shine forth we must explore the Source of our energy. This is truly a fascinating book worth owning by anyone who is exploring Jung and consequently doing "inner work". The book is all about how we manifest our reality ... a truly magnificent journey!
Erika Borsos (erikab93)

This book is useful in the sense that it helps clarify, and shows the hierarchy of, many of Jung's concepts of deep psychology. However, it has several shortcomings. The most important of these is that, even though the author insists on the importance of inner work with all the concepts explained, he never indicates how this inner work is to be performed. For instance, he states the importance of the four functions of consciousness and the typology that consequently people belong to; however, after insisting on this throughout many pages, and saying that interpersonal relations, especially in the work place, are easier and more conflict-free if we consider the typology of people, he goes on to tell us that there are two ways to find out this typology: a test performed by a therapist or constant study of the person during a long period of time -hardly a very practical way of solving interpersonal conflicts in your work place or of preparing a meeting. With most of the other concepts explained, the suggestions of practical action are even vaguer; only in the two last chapters there is a haste, not terribly detailed, explanation of how to work with dreams and active imagination. So much for the practical, applicable side of this book. Another serious shortcoming is that, when the author explains many of the abstract issues of deep psychology, he rarely gives examples taken from real people; he rather gives invented examples such as, "when a person is under the influence of a negative shadow he or she may...". This invented examples are often very exagerated, suposedly to show the author's sense of humour, and they do little to clarify the issues compared to real-life cases. When real-life cases are explained, only the conflict is given, but not usually how this was solved. However, as I have already said, this book is useful to understand many of Jung's complicated concepts, and as an introduction or first step in you journey of self-knowledge.

This is a lay-persons guide to Jungian theory and shows you how to uncover hidden aspects of your personality, how to interpret dreams, develop creativity and improve relationships. It conveys the essence and spirit of jungian thought in a simple and effective way. Lots of interesting stuff on complexes, archetypes and integrating the personality. I found the discussion of the dynamics of relationships very helpful. I just think more focus on practical implementatiuon in the form of exercises would have been even more helpful, otherwise you'll have to read the book over & over again. Includes a good bibliography and index.

This book provides the clearest explanations I have seen yet of many of the stickiest concepts in Jungian psychology. The author's background in Jungian therapy and religious studies are blended together skillfully to produce a readable and instructive introduction to this fascinating subject.

The chapter on typology, a technique for understanding our inner selves and why we are not true to them, is one of the clearest I have ever read.

The concepts of persona, complexes, archetypes, shadow, Anima and Animus, etc., are presented clearly and directly. The author is always careful to ground the information in real-life language and experience, making it meaningful and applicable to the reader.

The book concludes with chapters on dream interpretation and active imagination, spurring readers to discover their own psychic process through the use of these powerful techniques.

While an introductory book, this work provides much to think about. The author's compassion and sense of humor are evident throughout. It is a worthy addition to the library of those interested in Jungian psychology and personal growth.

This series set in Southern California with a down home Georgia protagonist just keeps getting better. The ensemble crew, all flawed and interesting, keeps the action going and the solutions complex. Bravo.

No, not a diet book... Another Savannah Reid mystery.... Killer Calories by G. A. McKevett. This is one of the earlier ones in the series (the 3rd), and it is definitely a fun read.

A disco movie star (who happens to run a "health spa") is found dead in a mud bath. All indications point to an accidental death involving too much heat and too much alcohol. But Savannah gets an anonymous note with a load of money asking her to investigate the death. The letter seems to point to either suicide or murder. Savannah, who loves her food and her size, checks into the spa to do some undercover work. But between the horrible food and the excessive exercise, she wants to wrap it up as soon as possible.

Everyone seems to have loved the dead star, but there are an abundance of suspects who would benefit from her death. The harder Savannah pushes, the more her own life seems to be in danger. Plenty of twists, and you don't find out the killer until the very end.

A shorter novel, a quick read, and excellent humorous writing and character development. I'm really going to hate finishing up this series...

This is third in the series with Savannah Reid the overweight female ex-cop. I haven't quite figured out the sex angle. She shares a bedroom with a gorgeous young female assistant and has three close male friends, two of whom are gay and one of whom she finds physically unattractive. I came to it after "Cooked Goose" which is more of a thriller. This is more of a classical whodunnit although no real clues to the killer are planted, and after I had finished I decided the murder method made no sense. It has the British cosy set-up of a closed community (a health spa) containing the detective and the likely suspects, but I don't think Miss Marples would have told the frog joke.

G.A.McKevett does it again. Savannah is a delight! This was my favorite book in the series. This series gets better with each book . I can hardly wait for the next one to come out.

This was my favorite book of the three Savannah novels. She is a great character. I can hardly wait for the next one !

This book is excellent because it brings knowledge full circle. The author, Mr. Akbar is great at explaining to his readers how individuals must search for the inner Truths of religion for themselves. Respecting all ways that people acknowledge the reality of a Higher Being is the key to true spiritual development.

"Any knowledge that is of Truth has relevance in the education of the African person. The nature of the self, the origins of life, the study of the processes of life and the study of the Creator of life are the essential content for our education. Implicit in this model is a correction for the processes that perpetuate miseducation and makes us enemies of ourselves. The educational process that was designed for African-Americans was never intended to prepare us for independence & self determination, but to perpetuate our servitude to people who already have power."-Great knowledge-check it out!

This book has changed my life. Living in white suburbia I've been asleep for a while and this book opened my eyes to find out who I really am, how to understand my people and how to do educate myself, my family and my people. I will used this book as a reference for raising my two boys so that they can be proud of where they come from and prepare them to to conquer the racist obstacles that they will face while growing to to be strong educated black men.

This is a must read! Many African-American educators are interested in meeting the educational needs of African-American children within the established education system. Dr. Akbar guides educators by creating a working knowledge from which to start. It's difficult to destroy the current system, therefore, our objective as educators is to show African-American students the connections between our past and their present. Through such a methodology, the race problem attributed by miseducating blacks will lessen.

As a teacher of middle school students, I frquently observe that African-American students lack a working knowledge of their history beyond the figures of Dr. Martin L. King, Malcolm X and other popularized black figures. There are others that paved the way, such as Aesop, Hannibal, Cleopatra, Zenobi, and Askia the Great that our students need to know. For it is through the accomplishments of the above and others that will too pave the way for them.

This text along with other text written by African-American authors will guide our needs for developing, building and maintaining an education system of excellence based on truth, rather than mistruths. In short, I strongly recommend this book as a must read and as a keeper to be freely shared with all who are passionately concerned about giving African American children the upward mobility desired to sufficiently compete in this ever changing global world.

As mentioned previously, this book serves as a gateway of sorts to a new and liberating thought pattern. Unfortunately, not many Afrikans in America are aware that Mr. Akbar even exists. Given the opportunity to study his words and then later apply them to everyday living, I have been made aware of all things around me, including my own education. The way we as Afrikans tend to think, speak, and even shop is all touched upon in this wonderful book. It says, "Wake up people! There is a whole world out there you are not even aware of, and it's tearing you apart!" This masterpiece has served as the basis of many personal teachings and professional conversations I have had with my "self" and the troubled young people I work with. Thanks to Mr. Akbar, I am able to present relevant facts and positive information to my students, giving them the opportunity to think for themselves, rather than believing that what they have been forced to learn is the only reality they have.

This book constructively studies the mis-education of African-American people and provides the process to re-educating ourselves based on African holistic principles.

A Labor of Love: How to Write a Eulogy
Useful tips, outines, and examples combine to make this little gem worthwhile to have in advance of need. Moreove, the user-friendliness of the presentation is excellent to help guide one through the rigors at the time of death.

Seemed to me that the author had penned some eulogies, so felt that he was an expert on the subject. Yeah, it might have been helpful for the very first timer....but not for anyone who's done anykind of writing in their past.

Only buy this book if you have never written anything but a check before

I wrote the eulogy for my dad in one day after reading pages 7-28 of the book. The eulogy was very well received.

When the time came to write a eulogy for my dad, I had all the background information I needed. What I lacked was knowing what the eulogy was supposed to accomplish, how to organize my thoughts, what to write about and not write about, and how long the eulogy should be. The book answered all these questions.

The suggestion of having a cold glass of water handy during the delivery was very helpful. I nearly lost it at the end, drank the cold water, and finished the eulogy.

The book almost did not arrive before I had to write the eulogy. My advice is order the book well in advance of when you need to use it.

I had to deliver the eulogy at my mother's recent funeral service and this was without doubt the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life. However, after reading the book, I was able to say things that otherwise I could not possibly have put into words. I was able to walk away from the occasion knowing in my heart that I had said exactly what I had wanted to say.

Without the support provided by this book I could not possibly have done so. I offer you my sincerest thanks for the support given by the book.

With grateful thanks, J. Wilson

We used this book to help write a eulogy for our father. The tips and techniques were excellent in helping form our thoughts. The 'sample text' as well as questions to ask ourselves when writing the eulogy helped us put it together.

Many people said that the eulogy really summarized our father.

Thank you.

Raised on a Wisconsin dairy farm about 15-20 years later than author Ben Logan, I have long since concluded that for me it was the Right Time - Right Place. Logan's living history of family values, relationships and life lessons, told in the context or rural farm life, lets me relive my life through his, and glean our mutual past for the source of our values. I just read The Land Remembers for the second time. I think I'll read it every year.

I'm biased, because I'm from Gays Mills, WI (I used to mow Leita Slayton's lawn!) - but I recently re-read it, and was surprised at how many of the anecdotes and images I remembered were actually from The Land Remembers, and not from Steinbeck or anyone else better-known. Parts of this book will stay with you for years and years. It's like going home again every time I pick it up.

This is one of those books I will always remember. My children were young when I read it and I felt that it contained many lessons on how to be a good parent. And all in the context of very enjoyable reading. The story about learning to use the horse drawn cultivator shows how a parents help their child develop self-confidence, which is something I see so many people lacking. I can't say enough good things about this gem of a book.

This book is full of humor and spends wonderful time on how a farm is run, explaining the land, the chores, the wonder of living on a farm. Ben's antics with his brothers are delightful, and his account of his evenings with his family are memorable. I read this anytime I need a lift, and share its richness with anyone who will listen.

One room school house, the changing of the seasons and the farm chores for each one...a memior of one man's boyhood experiences. I liked this book and my husband liked it even more than I did. He was born and raised in rural WI, picking rocks, milking, and going sledding with his brothers. This book is well written and reads like a time capsule...the people & chores on a family farm. I would have given it a perfect 5 stars, but there is too much about bees. Less bee watching and the author would have a classic here. Great that his story goes full circle. We learn what happens to the people we've read and cared about...which is always gratifying to us readers.

This book provides a useful look into leadership theory primarily as it relates to transformational leadership. A key responsibility of any leader looking to improve their career longevity is to understand how to embrace change management as a key success metric. In my book Leadership Matters...The CEO Survival Manual: WHAT IT TAKES TO REACH THE C-SUITE AND STAY THERE I spend a great deal of time addressing leadership as it relates to change, innovation and performance. I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of leading change.

In a world of quick fix leadership books touting the latest fad du jour, the Sashkin's have provided a series of leadership lessons that work. Unlike other fad books they have grounded this approach in both theory and thorough research. More important, they have done this in a direct, easy to understand style and structure that lends itself to action. If you want to
know the current leadership fads so you can hold your own at a cocktail party, this book is not for you. If you want to lead in a dynamic environment and build a culture that thrives on change, this is the book for you.

Dr. Brad Lafferty
Synergy Inc. Washington DC

I am a doctoral student organizational leadership and have thus read many books on leadership as well as current academic literature, so I know the difference between a fadish popular leadership book and one that is well grounded and sound. This is the latter. Yet, it is still very accesible to non-academics. I assigned this book for an undergraduate class on leadership and the students absolutely loved it. The authors have not broken any new theoretical ground with this book. Sashkin and Sashkin are great synthesizers; they have taken the best of current transformational leadership theory and have combined it into a workable and cohesive approach to leadership that is grounded in the current leadership literature and is easy to read (not an easy task). This book only slightly works as an overview of leadership studies in general. They leave out in depth discussions of too many other current important leadership ideas. Instead they focus primarily on the transformational leadership approaches, and support it well with many theoretical strands. For a comprehensive and more systemative overview of leadership theory, try Peter Northouse: "Leadership Theory and Practice" or Gary Yukl: "Organizational Leadership." For a good one-stop approach and synthesis of TL, get this. While not groundbreaking, it is practical and useful for leaders and thus I recommend it.

This book is great! Feedback from my Advanced Leadership Studies graduate students at the Johns Hopkins University was unanimous. The mostly MBA students felt it was easy to read and understand, without a lot of jargon. The text presents a sound research base, yet many students described it as a good "how-to" book that includes clear methods for putting leadership concepts into practice in the workplace. Students gained helpful strategies for becoming and helping others become transformational leaders.

This book presents an excellent synthesis of the major theories that have defined the framework within which leadership is currently explored and practiced. Furthermore, it offers a clear and well defined stream of logic that will provide readers the opportunity to identify and implement some changes in their lives that could make a difference in the way they lead and follow. The crisp and concise presentation, the smooth flow, and the nice balance of theory and practice embedded within its content makes this book a valuable resource for students, researchers, consultants, and managers alike - as well as anyone else who would like to enhance and broaden their views on leaders and leadership.

This was by far the most comprehensive, detailed and informative book on Parkinson's disease I have read.
The author is an Early On Set Parkinson's patient and yet, with support, has been able to continue to raise his family and work full-time at his job as Editor of the Los Angeles Times.

He thoroughly investigates medications and other medical proceedures available and their benefits and disadvantages, which I found extremely helpful- certainly more information than I received from any physician.

Further, the author discusses, with amazing frankness, his own physical and mental challenges, which takes it beyond pure information to a story of courage and personal growth.

Joel Havemann brings the journalist's practiced eye for detail, detachment and clarity of expression to the task of understanding, describing and coping with Parkinson's. He also allows his heart to speak and the result is a work that should be especially valuable to those who have themselves have recently received a Parkinson's diagnosis or who have a close relative or friend thus stationed.
The book offers clear and interestingly presented facts about the various drugs, treatments and hopeful research that become an integral part of having Parkinson's, as well as the historical and public policy context in which those elements have evolved in the centuries since the disease was first identified. There is just the right mix of facts, opinion and sometimes barely concealed disgust in Havemann's treatment of these matters.
As valuable as those chapters are, I think many will find Havemann's account of his personal odyssey and that of his family to be the more valuable aspect of his book. He is unstinting in his descriptions of the physical and mental effects of the disease and frank about his occasional failures to deal with those effects as effectively as he would like. He also spares little in telling of his fears about the disease's potential progress and what it could mean for him and his family.
I can't think of a better preparation for confronting the many challenges and crises that accompany the arrival of Parkinson's in the life of an individual and family. A Life Shaken is strongly recommended.

Other books about PD scared the heck out of me, but Havemann's sense of humor and indomitable spirit have changed my perspective. I'm not afraid anymore. Thank you Joel. The book is honest and straightforward. He describes what happens to a brain with PD so clearly that I finally understand it!

Author Joel Havemann weaves his own story of living with this progressive neurological disease with a clear and carefully researched explanation that ranges from symptoms and drugs to challenges and the outlook for a cure. "For an adventure it is - not one that I would have chosen, but an adventure all the same." Mr. Havemann, an editor with the Washington bureau of the Los Angeles Times, helps us look at the human brain and its intricate yet magnificent operation, and the disastrous consequences of even the simplest misfire. He has created an excellent reference guide for caregiver, family member and patient alike that affirms the paradox of our own frustrations and hopes for the future. We feel Mr. Havemann's determination to keep going for his family, anger at the debilitating symptoms, and belief that the scientific and medical communities will deliver an answer.

Mr. Havemann provides us with an incredibly personal view into Parkinson's disease. His wit, candor, and superb writing style draws the reader into his story to such a degree that it is difficult to disengage. While telling his story he concurrently entertains and educates the reader as to where medicine stands with regard to research and current treatment, and how individuals cope. I'm looking forward to his next work.

As a personal and professional coach, I often use this workbook, in addition to the original Discover Who You Are, when working with people who are making major life transitions, especially career change. I find the material thorough but not overwhelming for people with varying levels of education. Also, the workbook format allows my clients to scribble all they want and keep a record of their thoughts without writing in the margins of the text book (some people dislike writing in their books). The workbook can be pulled out weeks, months or years later to refresh memory and track progress - a real jewel.

The LifeKeys program is designed to help people discover their path in life. Whether you are just starting out, in a job you don't really like, newly retired, or just curious about the possibilities, LifeKeys is a great resource for finding out more about yourself and your mission in life.

The authors provide a series of simple tests on interests, spiritual gifts, personality type, values and passions to help the reader discern what God is calling them to. Each activity is simple, although they can be time consuming if done properly.

Many people use this series in a church class: The one I led at our congregation of about 500 members attracted over 30 people to participate. There is a hunger out there for the kind of guidance LifeKeys provides. It is certainly a great program to use in a church context, and the workbook version makes it easy.

LifeKeys certainly is pitched to the Christian community. However, an individual reading the entire text would find it just as easy and rewarding to do on their own.

Develop your own personal mission statement, and use LifeKeys as a guide!

With a resemblance to What Color is Your Parachute, but with a Christ-based perspective, Discover Who You Are takes a multi-pronged approach to discerning how you can be a better steward of the gifts, talents and passions the God has given you. The book, which is part of the Lifekeys series, is designed to help you discover your calling. The book is practical, easy to read and full of exercises and self-assessment tools. Discover Who You Are is useful by itself, but it also makes a good resource for a church small group study. A workbook and a leadership resource are also available.
Discover Who You Are's multi-pronged approach begins with assessing your life gifts - what comes naturally to you. These are classified into six areas such as artistic, investigative and social. Next the authors look at spiritual gifts, helping the reader through a series of questions to identify which of 20 God-given gifts they might have, such as mercy, teaching and evangelism. This is followed by a chapter on Meyers-Briggs personality types, with acronyms such as INFJ and ESTP. An exercise on identifying one's values is next, followed by a discussion of finding one's passions. The remainder of the book focuses on service, with applying your self discovery to volunteer opportunities and career choices. These applications include specific sections dealing with different life stages, including first career, midlife transitions and retirement planning.
Some readers may find the book tells them what they already know about themselves and others may still be left with questions when trying to figure out specifically what they were meant to do with their lives. But most will find the journey through this book to be a useful way to sharpen their insights into themselves and better understand how God made them. The book may indeed help one live more purposefully for Him and find deeper meaning in life. jsteenhagen at ActiveStewardship

This book is a life-changing and life-enhancing source of how to use your God-given gifts...a lesson in God's love for us.

God believes each of us is special and this book shows the reader how to uncover (or re-discover) the gifts God has given that make each of us unique. And useful to God!

It is a blessing and a gift!

LifeKeys does a relevant and wonderful job of guiding those in search of a clear path in life. Through a series of simple but deep and though provoking tests, LifeKeys sets out to help the reader discover who they are and what God is calling them to do. The tests include interests, values, spiritual gifts and personality type, as well as guidance on integrating the gathered information to write a life mission statement.

There is a hunger for books like these in our society... in our church of about 500 members, over 30 people signed up for the LifeKeys class which I led. The discussion was wonderful, and students left satisfied with their experience.

The only drawback to this workbook: If you are using it to lead a class, plan on spending time reading the whole book before you begin, and more time on class planning. For the individual, simply the "LifeKeys" text is more than sufficient... it has all the materials included in this book. But for a group who doesn't want to make the larger investment in many texts, the workbook is a great resource!