Lee Books

Useful propaganda; but in reality to come to such definitive conclusions you need to have an army of PhD biologists doing huge statistical sample tests.

But don't let that deter you from the nice graphics and the fact that fish sustainability is a serious topic.

"One size does not fit all" in the areas where food choice and environmental responsibility collide, though this book nonetheless offers an overview of the choices we can make as individuals that are important and can make a significant difference. This book was a gentle, persuasive, thorough and (to me) entertaining overview of a subject that had concerned me for a while. The book (and a downloadable "pocket guide" available on the book's website) is useful for both shopping and eating out, and I have learned alot about tastes and preferences I didn't know I had! This is a good one.

Carl Safina has long been an advocate of fish preservation, and an eloquent one at that. There is scandalously little information about fish for consumers; many do not know which fish are members of perilously depleted stocks. Safina et al manage to impart information about the state of fisheries without making a fish-eater feel bad about him or herself. We need more books that can educate, not condescend, and not reprimand about the effects of human consumption, existence, and behavior. These authors take a smart route: teaching readers to become more informed and concerned about fish just by learning about them.

Seafood Lover's Almanac has great illustrations and is loaded with fish facts and a punch.  The book educateme about how fish are caught, how they are faring, their nutritional values, the drugs, antibiotics, etc. that are often used in farming and hatchery-raised fisheries, what species are endangered, how we can help, and how to shop and cook them.  I learned that Sockeye Salmon is one of the many varieties of Pacific northwest salmons, that Tilapia is farm-raised, and that Orange roughy is found off New Zealand, Australia and Namibia and is always sold frozen, and Bocaccio is an ocean rock fish from the California coast.  The authors make it clear which species are endangered like Patagonian toothfish (which is in the markets as Chilean sea bass), and which are doing well, like Alaska wild salmon. Included is a fish scale that ranks species from green to yellow to red, which made it easy for me to check how a particular species is doing and what makes ecological sense.

There are recipes from some renowned chefs that appear throughout the text - not many - but enough to send the home cook to their local fish monger.  Christopher Idone Cookbook Author

Seafood Lover's Almanac has great illustrations and is loaded with fish facts and a punch.  The book educateme about how fish are caught, how they are faring, their nutritional values, the drugs, antibiotics, etc. that are often used in farming and hatchery-raised fisheries, what species are endangered, how we can help, and how to shop and cook them.  I learned that Sockeye Salmon is one of the many varieties of Pacific northwest salmons, that Tilapia is farm-raised, and that Orange roughy is found off New Zealand, Australia and Namibia and is always sold frozen, and Bocaccio is an ocean rock fish from the California coast.  The authors make it clear which species are endangered like Patagonian toothfish (which is in the markets as Chilean sea bass), and which are doing well, like Alaska wild salmon. Included is a fish scale that ranks species from green to yellow to red, which made it easy for me to check how a particular species is doing and what makes ecological sense.

There are recipes from some renowned chefs that appear throughout the text - not many - but enough to send the home cook to their local fish monger.  Christopher Idone Cookbook Author

When day after day life spirals out of control, it becomes more and more meaningless. "Smile: For No Good Reason" encourages people that even though life itself may be hectic, annoying, painful, and just all around bad, it can't prevent you from finding what matters most of all: Peace of mind. "Smile: For No Good Reason" is a brilliant, practical approach to working towards attaining just that, without making any ridiculous and hasty life changes such as career or religion. "Smile: For No Good Reason" is highly recommended to all self-help shelves and for anyone who wants a better outlook on the grim world we live in.

A must read for anyone and everyone. We all need to take time to appreciate life and all it has to offer. This book belongs on every coffee table and in every waiting room where people take a minute to slow down, reflect and smile...

This book is one that you keep even if you bought it as a gift for another. It is packed with one line thoughts that are full of ideas that have meaning. It is easy to read as you can just skim the headlines for a quick read. The text is well written, not wordy, funny and wonderful.

Everytime I pick it up I find another "treasure of gold" to remember to keep me on track and focused on my good.

Buy it for your self and you will want to give it to your friends it is a great book! Simple and easy to read....also a great book as a gift as it is small and square and special!

This book was written from the heart. It is humorous and well written. The chapters are short and informative. This book holds the key to happiness. I really enjoyed it.

Attitudinal Healing is a philosophy based on the idea that "nothing needs to change in your life situation or the world in order for you to have peace of mind." In Smile For No Good Reason, Lee L. Jampolsky, Ph.D., psychologist, author, and consultant, offers simple and practical advice for creating happiness without doing anything except changing how we look at life.

The book is divided into twelve sections, one for each of the principles of Attitudinal Healing. Within each section are several vignettes illustrating how the principles can be applied in everyday life. Most vignettes are only a page, making them easy to read and understand.

The principles are based on the ideas that love and fear are the only two emotions, that the only problem is a feeling of separation, and that the solution is discovering that the essence of your being is love. Each section of the book is filled with stories and sayings that illustrate how to trade in fear for love.

Overcoming separation and discovering love requires changing fear-based attitudes, such as anger and guilt. Dr. Jampolsky says that "your attitude in solving any problem is far more important than the particular action you might take." He reminds us that the key is recognizing that "you're not upset because of what occurred, you are upset because of how you perceive the situation." He offers a huge variety of suggestions for changing perceptions and creating happiness.

He says we can start with a simple action like smiling, even if we don't think we have anything to smile about. Just that one little act will make a huge difference in how we look at our problems and how we interact with others. And when others smile back, suddenly we do have something to be happy about.

Dr. Jampolsky also emphasizes that healing comes from letting go of old hurts and resentments.

Smile For No Good Reason "presents clear and concise ways-that you can begin right now-to begin living a happier and more meaningful life. You will learn how to feel more peaceful and be more productive by replacing the automatic ways you react from fear with new perceptions of yourself and the world." It's a book you can pick up often and find guidance, no matter which page you open it to.

I loved this book so much. It was amazing writing and had a wonderful meaning. Phoebe Rose's story will keep you interested and thinking for a long time. Her story is touching and worth reading. I recomend this book, you wont want to put it down!!

Phoebe Rose dreams of becoming an artist when she grows up. However, the only person who encourages her is her father. One day he disappears, and Phoebe and her mother are forced to live out on the streets dragging a suitcase with all of their belongings from soup kitchen to soup kitchen looking for food, trying to find places to sleep, and trying to survive. Homelessness makes Phoebe so sad that she stops drawing and nobody notices. When Phoebe loses the suitcase at a bus station, her mother sends her to live with her grandmother for the summer at Full Moon Lake. That's when her new life begins.

When Phoebe arrives at Full Moon Lake she's distrustful, but slowly adjusts to life in the country. She has a real home, good food and a sky full of stars for wishing. Best of all, there's Ruby, a new sisterlike friend who sparks Phoebe's imagination and encourages her love for drawing. When Phoebe's mother comes to Full Moon Lake with plans to return to the city with her, Phoebe isn't sure what she wants. Will she return to the city with her mother or will she stay with her grandmother?

This book will make you feel glad that you have a home and don't have to live out on the streets. If I had been Phoebe, I would have stayed with my grandmother. If you like moving stories, you're going to like this book!

--- Reviewed by Ashley

I didn't think of Pheobe as a homeless person. I thought of her as a spirit, a light so bright that even as it dimmed by the harshness of her life, could not be extinguished.
I loved Pheobe's grandmother and the healing that took place on Full Moon Lake. I loved that Phoebe became the mama of her own self. And that she decided to give it one more try, "my mama and me, on our own in the city, a little stronger this time, we'll try."
I think I'm going to go and read it all over again!

Soul Moon Soup is full of beautiful word pictures that capture the emotions of a young girl from a homeless family. Lindsay Johnson shows more than a superficial understanding of what it is like to be trapped at the bottom with no hope of getting out. Her characters all engage our sympathies even as we see their flaws.

Written in verse, the book does not have the same dramatic arcs one would expect in a prose novel. As a poet Ms Johnson gives more attention to examining the fine details of her character's experience, but that is exactly where we find the wonderful images like swimming in soul moon soup.

I highly recommend this book to sensitive readers and to those seeking to understand the humanity of the homeless.

Phoebe Rose gripped my heart and wouldn't let go until I got to the end of this moving book. Written in verse, the story zips by, pulling the reader into the world of a homeless girl. When she loses the precious suitcase with all of their posessions, and her mother makes good on her threat to "slap her back" to her mother's own place of upbringing, the dread builds. But Phoebe's grandmother and her neighbors end up being a small place of refuge. My students tend to find novels in verse to be especially accessible--and what a novel for helping young readers think about the real lives of people they may well pass on the streets every day.

I received this book recently, and couldn't put it down until after I perused every page. This book is a remarkable compilation of photos and stories of the rich history of descendants of slaves who planted an indelible mark of courage, perseverance, strength and faith into the lives of everyone and anyone who's ever lived in Spartanburg or surrounding areas. I was born in Spartanburg over 50 years ago, and never knew about the rich heritage and traditions of some of the people who raised and nurtured me during the primary years of my life. This book ignited wonderful memories of the matriachs/patriachs-- who lived in Tobe Hartwell Extension where I lived with my mother, brother and sister--who watched out for your safety. I graduated from Mary H. Wright Elementary, and spent a summer in band practice at the beloved Carver High School just prior to relocating to NY. A few years later, Urban Renewal came in and completely transformed not just my old neighborhood, but the only community I've ever known. Thanks to Beatrice Hill and Brenda Lee for re-planting in our hearts the memories of our beginnings, for re-paving the pain and loss of a thriving and successful African American community, for the rehabilitation of all the parts, pieces and past that they so eloquently portray in this book. Undoubtedly, your heart will be full, page after page, when you read this book. Thanks to Beatrice and Brenda for the gift of the restoration of a historical treasure in my lifetime! M. Drake

This book has truly been a blessing for me. When I received the book in the mail - I could not put it down. I read the book in one sitting.

My late parents were both born and raised in Spartanburg. My father's military career kept him traveling around this country and other parts of the world so my brothers and sisters and myself only knew of Spartanburg through visits. We lived in Spartanburg for one year while our father was stationed in Korea so I don't remember a lot about Spartanburg. I have been attempting to do some research of both sides of my family in Spartanburg. This book has reignited that spark for me to continue.

This book shed a piece of information about my family that I was not aware of and all the rich history of the "South of Main" area that is a must know for all, especially for the black people near and far who have roots in Spartanburg.

God Bless you and thank you Beatrice, Brenda and Raymond for a job well done.

I was anxious to receive my copy of South of Main and my waiting was not in vain. I'm truly Blessed to have come from these roots and be able to claim my portion of such an uplifting heritage. Once, I picked up the book, it was so hard to put it down. I fell asleep a couple times only to wake up with it lying on my chest, ready to dive back into the words that jumped out at me giving me the feeling of being in Spartanburg as a child again. I want to thank all of you who took the time and energy to publish this book. It's very educational and will serve as a source of knowledge for the children and future offsprings that
reside in Spartanburg.

I was very intrigued with all the information about the South side of Spartanburg. I lived there from age 9 until age 17 after I graduated from Carver High. I was not aware of how the area began. Neither was I aware of the role that some of the residents played in establishing the neighborhood. I am looking forward to a sequel to the book that will tell the story of some of the other people that played an important part in establishing the city.

Okay, I'm a tad prejudiced because I'm a native of Spartanburg, SC (the city studied in this book) and I have family members whose photos appear, but I'll keep it objective.

Basically, this is a case study of a Black neighborhood formed by ex-slaves in the above-mentioned city. In spite of Jim Crow, a narrowly-averted race riot in 1917 (described in one oral history by 97-year old Ms. Harriet Dawkins) and attempt to sabatoge their education, these people manage to build a thriving, self-contained community known as the Southside, with it's own hospital, hotel, movie theater, restaurants, Red cross, Boy Scouts, etc. Sort of the (early) Harlem of South carolina's upstate. The book is filled with pictures and oral histories that cover all this.

One particularly inspiring story tells the tale of Cedar Hill Academy. When the School superintendant tries to reduce the level of courses in the city's Black schools in the 1910s, local parents and educators break away and form their own Cedar Hill Academy.

Then in the late 1960s and early 70s, urban renewal comes in and under the guise of promises of better homes, the city all but destroys the Southside. No wonder Dick Gregory has referred to urban renewal as "Negro removal." For the record, the Southside neighborhood and most of its schools still exist, although most of the businesses are gone.

Variations of this story can be told of many other such neighborhoods and cities, and South of Main does a good job as a case study of urban renewal/Negro removal. The large number of oral histories and photos and stories of the Southside's heyday really helps to personalize what many Black neighborhoods were about in the Jim crow era, which is becoming a distant memory.

However, I like the fact that the book does not fall into the foolish trap that some other books of this time do in going too far into glorifying the Jim Crow era. The book makes clear the obstacles that the residents faced in those days and should offer hope for the current generation to escape it's crisis. But all in all, Black history and urban studies fans will find this a worthwhile purchase.

Incidentally, another book that covers some information not included in this about Spartanburg's Black history is "Things Hidden" by Dwain Pruitt which is avaiable mostly in Spartanburg and "Hub City Music Makers," which includes some more information of the "Sparkle City's" major contributions to Black musical history and is also available on Amazon.

"The Spider in the Well" is a brilliantly written journey of a college football player's life as he grapples with guilt issues, his own devastating injury, and a senseless act of violence toward his father.
Paul Ford, a University of Minnesota standout and NFL prospect, is haunted by a horrific childhood accident which occurs as Paul was to be supervising his little brother, James. Paul's fascination with a spider in a well opening causes his attention to be diverted from his responsibility toward his little brother with tragic results. Self-induced guilt of the accident throws Paul into a pattern of re-occurring nightmares that would shape his later life.

As the demanding and lucrative world of the NFL seems within reach for Paul, he, himself, is faced with his own private nightmare as an awful injury dashes all hopes for the career that Paul so desperately desires. As his world crumbles around him, Paul is again faced with a devastating blow as his selfish girlfriend abruptly breaks up with him causing him to realize that her commitment to him was strictly based on Paul's future income and status as a football player.

Through it all, Paul's family steadfastly stands beside Paul gently reminding him that God has a plan for him and that his life is not wasted by his injury but instead enhanced by what miracles God could perform through him.

As Paul becomes more involved with the charitable work of his mother and father, his life is again turned upside-down by a senseless act of violence toward his father by the very person his father tried so hard to help. It is at this point in Paul's life that God's plan is revealed to him and the only thing in the way of Paul's life's mission is to come face to face with the nagging doubts in his own heart as well as with the Spider in the Well.

I was totally engrossed in this novel by Ms. Ward. I was struck by her ability to convey to the reader a sense of urgency in Paul's heart as he sought out life's true meaning for him. Her gentle guidance of the reader into the complexities of true forgiveness gave this reader a new-found appreciation for the importance of a solid relationship with oneself, one's family and with God.

I read this novel in one evening. I laughed, I cried, but most of all, I took time to re-examine my own life and for that I will always thank Lee Ann Ward for writing this wonderful novel, "The Spider in the Well".

Reviewed March 2004
Shannon Young
"Little Brown Shoes"

From the moment I started reading this novel, I couldn't put it down. Lee Ann Ward makes an impressive statement with her main character, Paul Ford, as he searches to find God through the low points of his young life. Paul must face adversity when his worst fears come to haunt him. With the help of those closest to him, he learns he doesn't have to walk the dark corridors of his life alone. The characters were well written and the story clear and thought out. This is not normally my genre but I thoroughly felt captivated by the story. Pick up a copy and enjoy The Spider in the Well!

by Nancy Arant Williams

College senior Paul Ford is on a roll. He's handsome, talented and in his final year at the University of Minnesota. And most exciting of all, at his next game he'll be observed by pro football scouts. How could life get any better?

He can't believe his luck that a stunning blonde named Tiffany has declared her love for him; they have nothing but bright hopes for the future together. But Paul has a recurring nightmare that no one could imagine--and it's crippling his life and emotional stability. The dream is so vivid he wakes screaming, waking up his teammates in the dark of night. And all because of a stupid spider in a well.

Paul's parents are proud of their well-known son, and not just for his football successes. They are thrilled with his love of God and his desire to be an honorable man. His parents aren't rich, in fact money has never been an idol to them, but they can't help but be excited at the potential ministry opportunities Paul's football success will engender.

Tiffany's attitude is a puzzle he can't help but wonder about. Does she love him, or is it simply his potential fortune she's so crazy about?

As game day approaches, Paul prays for God's will to be done, but he has no idea the day will change the course of history as far as he's concerned. And when Paul's whole world collapses, he can't help but wonder what on earth God was thinking.

Paul's father, Andy, who has been ministering to down and out men at the city mission, invites his son to join him and speak to the men. What he doesn't anticipate is that someone will try to kill his dad.

In a thought-provoking look at how life's twists can shatter the human spirit, Lee Ann Ward brings hope and encouragement to those who want to get serious about walking with God. In a warm and genuine way, she examines attitudes that shape us and our world, showing that it is possible to live what you believe and still thrive.

A powerful story about a man troubled by his past and struggling with his devotion to God. Lee Ann Ward has a wonderfully written novel that came from the heart. Must Read!

This is a beautifully written story that will catch you from the beginning like a literary spider's web. It's filled with passages that stir the spirit and warm the heart, and the story will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Marchand, Louisiana has been plagued for several months by one called The River Rat. Brutally torturing male victims and then haphazardly dumping them along the shore of Old Rusty, the fiend has most of this small town scared to leave their homes longer than absolutely necessary.

Ted Lewis grew up in Marchand, only to leave later and start a small chain of successful restaurants. However, he discovered quickly that life in a large city didn't suite him quite as well as it did his wife. Following his break-up and, shortly thereafter, her death, Ted follows his heart and returns to his home town.

Leo Firenzi, Marchand's priest, has a decent reputation among his small-town followers. This makes it all the more difficult to digest when the population learns that he is the one who has struck terror into their lives. The one referred to as The River Rat.

Ted Lewis has the opportunity to become somewhat of a hero after aiding in the capture of Firenzi, but his muddled past while away from Marchand keeps him from spreading the word of his involvement. This raises his friends', including the town sheriff's, suspicions. Ted's life becomes even more complicated when he learns of a possible infection passed on to him from a bite obtained from The Rat. Will a life with HIV be one Ted can adjust to? Or could Firenzi have passed on much more than a mere Earthly virus to Ted? Can evil transfer itself from one host to another akin to a virus? The reign of terror brought upon Marchand by The River Rat has not yet run its full course...

Lee Thomas does a wonderful job of building a sense of dread and foreboding in this Stoker winning debut novel. The atmosphere created is superb. His characters are richly multi-dimensional, and never boring or cliche. With this novel, Lee forces his readers to stare into the face of evil and view it's internal reflection. The plot takes you through several twists and turns, keeping even veteran horror/thriller readers on their toes up until the end. Very highly recommended for fans of subtle, creepy, atmospheric horror.

Considering the lack of reviews and plain packaging for this novel, it's not surprising that it's been overlooked by so many readers. However, I would suggest that any fan of horror novels give it a chance, because it's one of the best works to appear in that genre over the past several years.

Taking the "evil comes to a small town" premise and twisting it in a wonderful way, Thomas manages to avoid put a terrific spin on the story. The evil at the basis of this story is never given its own face, remaining an unknown entity. And what truly lifts this book above so much else out there is the manner in which Thomas uses the entity of evil to examine the bad things that lurk inside everyone.

This is a true treat for any horror fan, and Thomas is definitely an author to watch. This story grips you from its horrible beginning and keeps you guessing until the end. There's very little in the way of cardboard characterizition, and the novel's hero isn't infallible himself. Highly recommended, and I can't say enough about this one.

Great read. I bought this on the advice of a friend & could not put it down till it was done. The plot is tight, and Mr. Thomas makes you really care about the characters. He is also really very good at setting the action. The reader feels like they really know the town. Try this book. You are going to love it.

This year, some of my horror reading material has included books by Doug Clegg, Jack Ketchum, Richard Laymon, Peter Straub and Brian Keene to name a few. This book rates right up there, and in many ways, was the best read of the bunch.
The book is equal parts a murder mystery, a supernatural thrill ride, and a horrific journey into the dark parts of the human mind. Ultimately, the book is about people and their relationships with their family and friends, while dealing with unresolved issues from there past that continue to haunt their present. A well written and well paced debute!

Stained is a great first novel, one part supernatural horror, one part murder mystery. Lee Thomas does a superb job creating the fictional Louisiana town of Marchand (apparently based on Nachitoches) and its inhabitants, all of whom seem closely related either by blood or town history. But unlike other "evil comes to small-town America" novels, Stained doesn't go the route of questionable prejudices. There are no ancient Indian burial grounds or the desecrated bones of black slaves causing the evil to happen, which is a refreshing change. Instead, we get evils closely tied to what lurks inside the people who actually live there: child abuse, misogyny, violence by those who feel beneath or out of place. Lee Thomas is a tight plotter, setting everything up beautifully before knocking it all down. He is also a natural master of the red herring--he ought to try writing a straightforward mystery or police procedural some time. I'd buy that in a heartbeat!

This book lays out an entire course of training exercises in the most explicit, practical, down-to-earth manner I've ever encountered. It is of enormous value to actors, directors and especially to those who teach these disciplines. Susan Strasberg wrote in the foreword: "When I read Lorrie Hull's book, I thought, 'My God, she's done it! She's caught so much of the work.' She got the answers, wrote them down, used them in her own twelve years of teaching for my father and then translated it all into an understandable, explicit, practical book that offers valuable tools for any actor [beginner or professional], as well as for writers, directors, and teachers. I'm sure a lot of misconceptions about my father's work will be cleared up by this book. After reading "Strasberg's Method," I feel sure that my father, 'Pop,' wherever he is, would be enormously pleased."

This book lays out an entire course of training exercises in the most explicit, practical, down-to-earth manner I've ever encountered. It is of enormous value to actors, directors and especially to those who teach these disciplines. Susan Strasberg wrote in the foreword: "When I read Lorrie Hull's book, I thought, 'My God, she's done it! She's caught so much of the work.' She got the answers, wrote them down, used them in her own twelve years of teaching for my father and then translated it all into an understandable, explicit, practical book that offers valuable tools for any actor [beginner or professional], as well as for writers, directors, and teachers. I'm sure a lot of misconceptions about my father's work will be cleared up by this book. After reading "Strasberg's Method," I feel sure that my father, 'Pop,' wherever he is, would be enormously pleased."

The best technical manual available for an easy to read understanding of those techniques and procedures used in "Method" acting. Extremely rich in detail, laced with dozens of examples and personal anecdotes, this book leaves nothing out as it takes the reader through practically every element of the "Method" and its vocabulary. Relaxation, Sense Memory, Concentration, Imagination, Substitution, Justification, Animal Exercise, Personal Object, Private Moment, Affective Memory, Song and Dance, Inner Monologue, Narrative Monologue, Speaking Out, Moment-to-Moment, and Subtext are just a few of the terms which Ms. Hull explains with crystal clarity. The book also includes advice to Directors, an exhaustive scene list, a glossary, suggested reading and tons of other valuable information. Indispensable. -- TheatrGROUP

An extremely helpful book for actors, directors, and acting teachers. Hull gives in-depth descriptions of exercises used by Strasberg and does a great job of telling why the exercises work with examples. The book is broken up into sections. One concentrates on the actor, another concentrates on the director, another on the teacher. Has a great section with suggestions for scenes. Highly reccommended. The appendices have been extremely useful.

An in-depth chronicle of Strasberg's approach to the actor's art, detailing the full vocabulary of "method" acting in easy to understand language, this book is the "bible" of Strasberg's "method". No actor's library is complete without it.

Streets Of Warsaw: A Novel Of The Polish Resistance In World War II is a historical novel and a totally engaging dramatization of a nearly forgotten espisode in the World War II struggle of the Polish underground against the German occupation. Chronicling the efforts of a valiant few to sabotage the Nazi war machine, the ruthless terrorizing and murder of an SS Brigadier General assigned to root out and destroy the uprising, and one man's desperate mission that could cost him everything he loves, Streets Of Warsaw is a gripping saga that tells of paying the ultimate price. Highly recommended.

Bought this book for my brother so he could finish and english project. He really enjoyed the stories in this book.

I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.

IT IS VERY WELL RESEARCHED AND FUN TO READ.

This was a great look at an often-times overlooked element of WW2. It was honest, and gave an acurate look at resistence in Warsaw. A great read. Would be excellent for a student looking to get a glimpse of the everyday person's existance during that awful time...

The Historical Novels Review, The Historical Novel Society:
The author shows he is adept at painting a vivid portrait of the unspeakable misery suffered by the Poles under Nazi rule...We should never be allowed to forget or gloss over the horrors wrought upon the world by Nazi fanaticism.

This book is a must for anyone starting and/or managing a telephone sales call center. It gives you every piece of advice that is necessary to succeed. The information in this book was key to the success that I have had starting and operating an Inside Sales Department for a large manufacturer. Following the guidelines and information in this book I was able to take $30 million dollars worth of existing mature business and grow it by 15% during the first 18 months. In my opinion this book should be the bible for any telephone sales manager...it's value is priceless!!! Mr. Van Vechten is certainly an expert in his field.

John Kirk SENCO Products, Inc.

I thought the potential reader would be interested in where the content for the guide came from. Simple... readers and organizations like yours. All of the concepts are fully tested and I truly don't know of anyone else who took this approach. And, although I come to the table with bias... I think you who have helped with the work deserve five stars.

This book is must for any Inside Sales Manager. The information and guidelines in this book helped me to start a new Inside Sales Department with a large manufacturing company. It made it possible to grow $20 million in mature existing business by 15% in just 18 months. Quite a return for such a small investment. Lee Van Vechten provides direction for a telephone sales manager in all areas as it relates to starting and managing an Inside Sales Department. It is simply stated a step by step guide to success regardless of your level of experience. This book has became my "bible"!!!

John Kirk Senco Products, Inc.

After 23 years of selling over the phone, from computer systems software to specialty surgical instruments, I have finally found a guide that covers all the bases for pro-active, outbound telesales. The author's narrative is concise, easy to read, and has practical easy to follow applications for his methodology. What is astonishing is his thorough understanding of selling over the phone, this is not a customization of field sales adapted for telephone sales.

When our company decided to implement telemarketing into the mix, the managment team basically thought it would be a no brainer. Pick up the phone, offer your product, and instantly increase sales. Were we ever wrong. After numerous employees revolving through the door, customer relations going sour from badly trained help, and thousands of dollars later, we regrouped and looked for help! This is such a practical guide with a very simple message; "do it and it will work". Our turn-over has decreased tremedously by following the hiring,training,and compensation advice. Customer survey's have risen 7 positive points in our favor and the bottom line.... sales are up 35% in the 1st quarter! Every business can profitably benefit from telemarketing and I highly recommend this book so you can make sound and proven business decisions that can impact your profit margin almost immediatley.

I really enjoyed this book. I took the time to read it during Christmas of 2007 on a train ride. Very detailed and well written.

Pastor Whitmore
Denver, CO

I was most impressed with the comprehensive manner in which this text was written. The noted examples were founded in scriptures and life experience, and were completely applicable to everyday life struggles. It was also an easy read with timely information. Well done.

This is an excellent book. It explores and explains why so many people are in bondage to debt and living above their means. It also goes one step further and provides step-by-step methods to reduce or eliminate debt and bring balance to our financial lives.

Taking Care of Business by Lee Jenkins has been a financial God send for a group of 9 couples in Kansas City, MO. Brother Jenkins explains what the Bible says about money and how to apply these financial principles in your life. He lays out why African-Americans have struggled in the area of finances and "Leaving A Lasting Financial Legacy" for their children and beyond. Taking Care of Business can help all peoples if they are willing to accept God's view on what the Bible has to say about money and be accontable to what the Word of God says. Money is a small thing, but it will reveal big things in your life! Thank you Brother Lee. We will continue to pray for you Martica, Kristin, Martin, Ryan and your ministry.

Taking Care Of Business is one of those books that you read and its impact is so great that you want not only to read it again, but share it with others. Lee Jenkins combines financial wisdom with biblical principles and articulates this blend in a manner that has not been presented before in written form, but he does it in a way that is easy to understand especially to those of us not in the field of finance. Lee Jenkins' methodology in this book is also impeccable as one chapter's content builds the foundation for the next into a higher level reading experience and life changing message.