Long Books

I value a great book on spirituality when it has the essence of Truth, simplicity and clarity. This is the kind of book I wish to give to everyone. Very rare a spiritual book can and should be given to anyone. This one can be easily accepted by avid spiritual seeker and anyone having the desire to evolve by starting with oneself. It give such understanding to all the unanswered questions we have related to the lost of abundant joy,our childhood was so rich once.

If you like this book, I would also recommend Andrew Cohen's book, Embracing heaven & earth for one more easy read, yet, to the point keys to Truth.

Enjoy!

This is probably one of the best books by Barry Long I have read, it makes you start thinking about the nature of you, and how much we are programmed by soceity. Maybe think is not a good word to use because barry long thinks that thinking is a psychological disease. So read this book, start to meditate and stop to think, that the way to penetrate into your own being.

Enjoy the journey

Barry Long relentlessly hammers you with Truth. When I read this book, I periodically flipped as he pointed out the obvious to the oblivious with deadly accuracy. From guiding us not to tell our sad story, through the crazed media minefields, to the slithering souls waiting to incarnate, Master Long will do something to you. It is up to you to find out what....

I haven't finished this book yet but am blown away by Barry's directness, integrity and the deep resonance of Truth in his words. This truly is Wisdom for the Western mind. No gurus, no mantras, no spiritual baggage - just the Truth, straight and simple. How the world needs this now....

But Barry's message is only for those who are ready to hear it. I imagine his uncompromising directness and 'zero tolerance' spirituality will deter those who are not prepared for it. Not many people seem ready to hear that they've no right to be unhappy, or that they're entirely responsible for their unhappiness.

A brilliant book. Thank you so much Barry Long.

Barry Long's words have got a quality that penetrated me deeply. i found that even when i had finished this book, I kept going over what he had said and saw that it was all the truth. I've never heard anyone talk about the personality like this before, at first i was intrigued. After a while it actually gets a little uncomfortable, it made me look at myself so deeply, more deeply than i ever have before. It gave me insight to how my emotions really work and after reading this I no longer feel as though there is some force beyond me that controls my life and makes me unhappy. This book changed me! d I'm amazed by how much freer i am, it really works! Who doesn't want to be happier? Everyone should read this book, it's absolutely brilliant. Barry must be either totally enlightened or a genius.

This is a essential book for beginners and advanced users. DBAs can have good references to implement ASM without problems. There are many information not found in conventional forums.

Other than Oracle documentation, this is the only ASM source of information that I know of. This book is a relatively fast read and comes in at under 300 pages.

The first chapter is very helpful and I learned some information about disk storage that I did not know. I am more comfortable talking with SAN and system administrators now. They also get the feel that I know what I am talking about. After the first chapter, the book dives right into ASM architecture and management. Each chapter is well written and easy to understand. This book also covers the new features in Oracle 11 and you can see that Oracle is dedicated to maturing ASM. ASM is here to stay and it will gain in popularity.

One of the areas that I thought could have been better is the discussion and explanation of RAC, ASM and how the cluster registry is affected. It would have been nice to have a chapter on OCFS just as a supplement. Some shops will utilize both OCFS and ASM. OCFS will host the OCR and voting file as ASM can not be used.

If you are new to ASM or you are an expert, this book is a good read. If you are new to ASM will get more out of it (obviously) since it covers everything you need to know to install and maintain ASM. Fortunately since this is the only ASM book (as of today) and it is great source of information you will not be wasting your time. This book comes highly recommended.

George Loewenthal
Denver, Colorado

Oracle Automatic Storage Management Under-the-Hood & Practical Deployment Guide.This is a must have book for those who are working on ASM or who are planning to implement ASM.Chapters like "ASM Space Allocation and Rebalance","ASMLIB Concepts and Overview","Managing Database in ASM" and "ASM and Storage Array Configuration" gives you in detail information.

After reading the book I can say that now I know what actually is ASM/How it works/How to Implement ASM and I don't need any more training on ASM.


-MOHAMMED MOINUDDIN UMAIR
Senior Tuning Consultant,LEHMAN BROTHERS,NEW JERSEY

One of the authors of this book is the director of development for ASM. Who would know more about it than the developers? The other 2 implement it in many different environments. Lastly, the technical reviewer Charles Kim wrote the 11g new features book for Apress. There could not be a better group of people to write a book about ASM and review it than these individuals.

I would highly recommend this book for any DBA that will be working with ASM and / or RAC. The high performance, ease of use, and low cost make it a very attractive solution. This book will teach you everything you need to know about ASM (that's why it's called an "Under-the-Hood" guide). It also makes an excellent reference.

Someone recenlty mentioned that Oracle Automatic Storage Management (ASM) is probably the best thing ever happened to Oracle next to SQL*Plus. I would second that. However there was no definitive text available in the market and Nitin & co perfectly filled the gap with this classic one.

This book starts with the basics of the storage technology and moves towards the center of the ASM with deep discussions on ASM data structures, ASM in operation and ASM troubleshooting. Nitin probably probably knows more about ASM than anyone I know and excels in explaining the complex technologies in easy to understand manner. You will immensely benefit from his wisdom and real life experience.

A must read for Oracle Storage Administrators and DBAs working with RAC/ASM.

I have read lots and lots of books by awakened spiritual masters, but Barry Long reveals original thought I have not found written anywhere else. He began writing a book about the origins of all the martial arts but soon abandoned it because the information revealed took him on a journey into the origins of man and the universe. I could not put this book down. It held me spellbound to the end. Read it and believe it..... or not.

It is a difficult book to read. It is complex. It deals with many fundamental issues and provide views and explanations which are often far away from our (at least my) understanding and experience.
Still I found many responses which are relevant to me and I bet that, if we would make an interview to 1000 readers, everyone would reply he/she has got insights on different aspects: basically on what was relevant to him/her.
So that if you want to figure everything out cognitively of what Barry Long is telling you....no hope.
It is not a book for understanding, it is an exploration of a space of possibilities: an amazing and fascinating journey...which is going to tickle something within you, whatever it will be.

In what is, for me, the most profound book ever written, Barry Long tackles the question of our origins from the vantage point of the spiritual master and has produced what many regard as this influential spiritual teacher's finest work.

After quickly dispatching scientifc speculation and religious exegis as failed attempts at explaining our origins, Barry turns to traverse ground sign posted by the creation myths of many cultures before he shifts into gear and takes the reader on a journey through creation and beyond the universe.

With a sure hand, Barry leads the reader in stillness and nothingness deep within the layers of mind or the unconscious. There, the reality of external space or the sense perceived world and the present purpose of life on earth are encountered in all their transcendent beauty and magnificence.

Compelling and energetically powerful, any attempt to summarise this book is hopeless, conceptualising and destroying. This is a life-changing book.

The only way to comprehend this book is to accept it as a myth, like you would perhaps read the story of Atlantis. It will take much time to absorb what is said, so read with patience and in small doses if it overwhelms you. The book presents the myth of the origins on the universe and mankind, and is the cornerstone of Barry Long's mystical teachings. Barry takes us on a journey through the mist of time (and before time) deep into our own consciousness, and gives us a glimpse into the mind of God. Having read piles and piles of books on theoretical physics, psychology, religion, spirituality and philosophy, I was surprised at how remarkable and refreshing the book was in its view of the human condition. Recommended for everyone to read.

Whether or not I "liked" this book is irrelevant! The fact is that it is helping to awaken me from the self-ish ignorance of my mind, our society, our culture, and our evolutionary history. Having already read it several times through, with a still mind, it has en-lightened several spirit-ual Ideas in my consciousness. This work is nothing less than the mythic revelation of the cosmos in contemporary scientific language. It is the timeless LOGOS in the language of our times; A psycho-spiritual Master-piece; The Word of God written through man the master.

Mr. Long's words guide the still mind and present consciousness on an inward mytho-scientific journey through the habitual ignorance of the selfish psyche back to its divine origins. I have not yet completed this journey and will continue to read it until I do, but I have realized the Idea of what Mr. Long is doing. From this place of love and truth I commend this book to you. You may not "like" it, but if you are ready it will help to enlighten your consciousness and reveal some original truth to you.

Permission to Party is a continuous stream of clever ideas for nurturing and celebrating yourself and your loved ones. It's one of those books you can flip open to any page and find inspiration. Not only did I enjoy Jill's innovative suggestions, but I appreciated the creative thinking her book spawned for me.

Life is a party so it's time you celebrate with Jill Murphy Long's book, Permission to Party. I have become a huge fan of this author as she is authentic, generous with her recommendations, and offers all of us healthy, happy, enriching ideas. Pour yourself a cup of tea and indulge in the special moment. Party on!

Cynthia Brian
author, The Business of Show Business
www.star-style.com

I really enjoyed this book, there were so many fun and interesting facts about various celebrations around the world. I entertain a lot and I picked up many great ideas from the book. I am always looking for fresh ideas and this book is filled with them.

Thanks,
Mary Cox

All you party poopers out there no longer have an excuse for putting off that party you've been wanting to throw. This book is full of practical, inexpensive, and fun things that will keep you and your guests engaged. It's a bright, colorful book that is handy to just have around so when you get an energetic moment it's easy to get the ball rolling.

What a great book! Great, unusual ideas! Who ever thought to go ice block sledding on grass in the summer?! Jill Murphy Long gives all kinds of information: tidbits on history,culture, & nutrition. I'm turning 50 this year and have gotten all kinds of ideas for a blow-out party. I really enjoy the quotes and side blocks. Most ideas are simple & doable: move over Martha. I think this is the best book Long has written in the "Permission" series (including Permission to Nap & Permission to Play; and these are great too). I highly recommend this book; it would make a great gift for people who enjoy entertaining. Whether you are planning an informal small gathering of 2 or a large formal affair, you can glean all kinds of ideas to create an event to remember. Isn't that what life is about, remembering that life is meant to be savored. Life is a party, living in the moment and loving life. Buy it, share it, and enjoy it!

*****
This book is a wonderful, playful, and beautiful book filled with ideas, quotations, explanations, and persuasive writing about how and why it is important to make the time and effort to play. Especially good for those women who are workaholics, this book will help women to see that play can really source the rest of their life, including their work life, and that it need not take a lot of time---a few minutes here and there can make a difference. I loved reading it, and found it inspirational and motivational for me in feeling less guilt (and hopefully, someday NO guilt) when incorporating fun into my life.

Highly recommended.
*****

Jill Murphy Long has done it again with Permission to Play. I have three rules of life-smile, have fun, and be wild and crazy, and Jill's book gives you every tool you need to enjoy life more. On your deathbed do you want your family to talk about how much time you spent at the office? Of course not. Permission to Play provides tons of tips to laugh, live, and be in the moment with your family and friends. Play together, stay together-what a great gift to one another.

Cynthia Brian
Radio/TV host
www.star-style.com

Americans work too much--especially working mothers! I just bought Permission to Play for all of my working mother friends for Christmas. I included an offer to baby sit for them, too--from their husbands! Now, instead of guy's night out, it is our night out to play tennis, go down to the driving range or go to the potter's wheel to paint--whatever sport or creative endeavor fits the season or our mood. I hope this author continues on her streak of writing inspirational books to motivate us women to do what we truly need to do. After a year of practing what Ms. Long suggested in her first book, Permission to Nap, I realize it might take my group a year to fit play in regularly, but we will have fun trying!

Wow! Permission to Play leaves you with no excuses to not just go out there and do it! Whether it's sports, crafts, music, travel, gardening - Jill Murphy-Long reminds us of the fun that awaits us to enrich our lives, including our joy enhancing the lives of those around us. We knew these truths when we were girls and teenagers, but then responsibilities arrived and many of us women lost our focus.

Thanks, Jill, for reminding us to give ourselves permission to be the person we were meant to be. Your book makes a great gift for daughters, sisters and friends alike!

While this book is tailored to a female audience, I think it's just as important for men to read up on playing, too. Our current world is missing a lot of spirited play and enjoyment. This book covers all sorts of play from active sports to classic board and card games in such a way as to really motivate you. I went out and purchased several board games after I read the book, because I'd forgotten all about that aspect of play. Lately I've had a ton of fun playing Scrabble, Life, Monopoly and many other games with a group of "wild" friends. Most importantly, this book helps to remind me that play is not taboo and that it's my right and responsibility to help break the Play Stigma in life. If you're looking for motivation to have fun and feel good, you'll find yourself pulling this off the shelf a lot for ideas and inspiration.

I'm an avid reader of family business books, and I recently re-read Perpetuating the Family Business by John Ward and found myself tabbing numerous pages that contained insightful and important ideas that just about every family business can put into practice.

Ward begins by laying out his conceptual foundation for familes, which contain his "Four P's" - 1. Policies before the need; 2. sense of Purpose; 3. Process; and 4. Parenting. Understanding and practicing the four P's should provide families in business with a decent start in the right direction toward developing a sustainable and successful family and business.

The heart of the book contains Ward's "50 Lessons" for family businesses, broken down into three sections: lessons for owner-manager businesses; lessons for sibling partnerships; and lessons for cousin collaborations. At the end of each section he briefly applies the lessons to the story of two media families: the Och-Sulzberger family (of the NY Times) and the Binghams (the Southern US media family) for illustrative purposes. Below I've set out a few of my favourite lessons from the book.

Lesson 2: Irrevocable Retirement.
Ward highlights the importance of family businesses establishing mandatory retirement policies for executives. As he states: "While a mandatory retirement date addresses the delicate issue of the leader letting go, it does much more than that. The value of a mandatory retirement policy is that it creates the opportunity for more changes in leadership in the later stages of the business." Family member executives in family businesses often have a hard time 'letting go' of the enterprise, creating all kinds of problems for the next generation of family (and non-family) executives who's professional and personal development is often retarded as a result. Also, mandatory retirement will force family executives to find a 'life beyond the business' - perhaps turning towards a leadership or mentorship role in the family or community - that will continue to provide them meaning in their lives.

Lesson 4: Principle of Merit.
Ward argues that families should put in place policies that focus on competence and earned privilege and discourage paternalism. Merit should impact many areas of family business decision making, including what roles family members should play in management of the business; determining compensation; selecting successors; who serves on the board; etc.

Lesson 5: Attract Most Competent Family Members.
As Ward observes, family businesses often fail to attract the best family members into the business because the most competent family members often have opportunities elsewhere. He states that failing to adopt the Principle of Merit (Lesson 4) will result in the business attracting the least competent family members while those who are the most competent search for opportunities outside the business where their competence will be recognized and rewarded.

Lesson 10: Understated Wealth.
One of the most complicated issues for larger family businesses is how to deal with the privileges and responsibilities of wealth. Ward doesn't suggest that families pretend to live in poverty, but suggests that living beneath one's means is a good route to take. He warns that families who do not practice this concept can run into the situation where the salaries of family members in the business can escalate rapidly and compromise the business.

Lesson 12: Graceful Pruning.
The idea of discouraging family shareholders from exiting the business is one that many families often follow - especially once ownership has left the founding generation. Family members often ask questions such as: Why should my kids be able to sell their shares and walk away from the business I've built? or, Why should my nephews be able to force my children to buy their shares and put them and the business in a problematic financial situation? Ward argues that mandating that shareholders wishing to exit do so at a discount to their real value is a bad policy for family businesses to adopt. According to Ward, families should make it as easier for individuals to sell their shares (even offering a premium to their value) as doing so will allow unhappy family members or those not engaged by the business to leave freely, resulting the family being owned by family members who genuinely want to be owners.

Lesson 16: Selective Family Employment.
According to Ward, it is better for families to set policies that create higher standards of entry for family members wishing to join the business. Doing so will encourage the most competent family members to join the business and will preserve upward mobility for able non-family employees. Increasing the amount of outside work experience and education over generations should result in increasingly selective policies.

Lesson 25: Legacy of Values.
In my opinion, the concept of a shared set of values is probably the biggest factor contributing to the sustained success of select family businesses. Ward states that the business should serve as an example of the family's values, and also that the business can contribute to the values of the family.

Lesson 28: Spirit of Enterprise.
Families that consider themselves as being "in the business of business" are more likely to be successful over the long-run than families that are strongly tied to the specific business that the founder created. While attachment to the original business is common, and selling the business or re-orienting it in new business areas might be troubling for those who built the business, they should see their success not as creating a business that does a particular thing, but creating a family that shares their love of enterprise.

Lesson 45: One Family.
This is probably one of the hardest lessons for many families to adopt. Many families that extend to a sibling partnership and beyond tend to adopt practices and policies that view the family as 'factions' or 'branches' - e.g. allowing each branch to nominate it's own director. Ward argues that families should avoid this state of mind and the practices that go along with it. Instead, he suggests that families should view themselves as 'one family' regardless of which branch individuals originate from. Adopting the 'branch' theory results in too many family members on the board, promotes tension and rivalry, and allows family feuds to continue. A family that adopts a one family approach should be comfortable with one family representative on the board of directors, knowing that the individual will represent the interests of the family and will not be motivated by self-interest.

In summary, I think Ward's book presents many interesting lessons and can serve as a very good resource for new ideas for families seeking to improve the governance, communication, and ownership of their family and business.

By 'clear' I mean relatively easy to read, this is not a textbook. Dr. Ward says himself that it is the most personal book that he's ever written, and I would say that it is his best. Because it is insightful.
One example: of the Five Insights and Four P's, one is 'Policies before the need'. This is something that I've been begging business families to do: establish a policy manual with rules for this and that occasion. Just because your family business is relatively small and simple today does not mean that you can delay.
A problem with other books on the subject is that they are written with a certain kind of family business in mind. This one, however, mentions the first three stages of family business evolution, and lists the 50 lessons under one stage or the other. Most helpful!
Appendix C: A Family Business Checklist made me stop and say "Hey, this question isn't for my business yet." but that only means that if the question and its answer is not appropriate for your business yet, it is still beneficial to start planning and educating. In other words, what is not needed by one generation is essential to the next.
Families in business: listen to this wise man, communicate, and educate.

It is simply the best book about Family Businesses that I read. Besides that, it is one of the few books in this field that has a conceptual structure.
It will be helpful to all people interested in the perpetuation of family businesses.

Well written and researched, "Perpetuating the Family Business" is a "must read" for anyone interested in passing their own business on to the next generation. John Ward is not only experienced, but insightful regarding the dynamics that make or break families and family businesses.

In a short book, John Ward offers many key findings & synthesized concepts (often surprising, even counter-intuitive) without wasting readers' time but with true-life examples enlivening his conclusions. His research & concisely presented insights match the multi-generational history of our multi-$B family holding company. This work should be on best sellers lists, not only because it is the "Built To Last" for private business, but also because it includes management principles that could be used in public companies seeking to endure.
C.U.

anyone who is a race fan should read this book. This goes to show people that the Petty family is a very remarkable family! And what a great way to honor their late son Adam with Victory Junction. they ate truley a remarkable family!!!! and this book just shows you that.

This is one great book. Tons of never before seen pictures and great stories from friends,fellow drivers and family members. Its worth every penny!

Adam was my sister's age when he died. I personalized him so much it was good to see pictures of him and the family growing up. It also chronicles NASCAR growing up. There have always been the Pettys in NASCAR. Sadly, that might not be true in the future. It's a great book and a wonderful cause.

This book made me feel as though I was sitting in the Petty's living room looking at old photos and reminising.A great tribute to Adam Petty with the proceeds going to the Victory Junction Camp. Great idea and great photos...Thanks to the Petty family for letting me into their lives.

I ordered this the day I heard it was coming out - it is a truly wonderful book - lots and lots of never seen before photographs. It is actually a tribute to Adam and proceeds go to a great cause!!!

I really enjoyed this book for a lot of reasons. First, it is a book about the practical aspects of running an ever-changing, always evolving business. Ed fills the pages with his own insights and his take on the advice of business gurus, almost always positive. Next, the book is an intriguing commentary on the history of Gensler, a world class architecture firm.

Well worth it if you are a fan of business books, a must if you are interested in the business of architecture.

Excellent book that provides long term strategies for building a great business. The author uses real life experiences that helps you develop business strategies that work for your organization and that you can implement today. It's a must read for all of our partners and has become a roadmap for our company.

Evaluate your business, look at your life and be bewildered by the complexities of both - then read this book and everything is a lot clearer. I hope this book makes it into today's classrooms. A must read for all students of business (and life).

The author takes a journey through his experience as a team-member, and ultimately leader of what would become the largest architecture and design firm in the world.
Great lessons on transparency and effective methods for dealing with the 'soft' issues which ultimately help support the foundation of true long-cycle-oriented organizations.
Great take-aways for implementation elsewhere.

Whether you are from the building design industry or not, this is a wonderful addition to your library. "Reach Higher" illuminates some of the most important business principles of the day. It is well written and certain to inspire entrepreneurs of all ages and from most industries.

This book is the best local history book I have seen yet on San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly - it is the only one I have ever found on Cal Poly. I was surprised to learn that there was an auto race track in the county, and that Cal Poly was originally a high school! Those and many other things about the area are in Maxwell Long's book. I had bought another picture history book on San Luis Obispo at a used book store - by Loren Nichols, and it is not even half as good as this one in terms of content, number of pictures, quality of pictures, and format. I graduated some time ago from Cal Poly, and I really loved my years there, and this book is really good for Cal Poly Alumni, and San Luis Obispo-ites. The author also goes beyond the city limits of San Luis Obispo, there is a bunch on Santa Margarita and other parts of the county - like the National Guard Camp, and Pismo Beach.

My cousin showed me this book, and I just ordered a copy. We are both Cal Poly Alums, and Maxwell-Long has really put together a really interesting pictoral history of the Cal Poly, and SLO. The pictures are really cool - and the captions tell each of their stories. What I really got into with this book was how much SLO, Cal Poly and the people have changed over the past 100 years. And I think that this is the 100 year aniv. of Cal Poly. I recommend that if you are a Cal Poly Alum that you might want to buy this book. I had no idea before I read this book that Cal Poly had started out as a high school, then junior college, and then a real university. Anyone who lives in SLO today will probably be surprised at what it looked like 100 years ago, and there is a bunch on it in this book.

I am an alumni of Cal Poly, and I have been searching for a book like this for some time. Thomas Maxwell-Long has assembled the most fantastic array of pictures of Cal Poly during its initial decade that I have ever come across. I can't believe how awsome these images are, not only of Cal Poly, but of San Luis Obispo too. And along with each picture is a superb caption. This is a must for any Cal Poly alumni or student, and for anyone who is interested in San Luis Obispo.

Through this great read, Maxwell Long did an excellent job of documenting and illustrating the diverse history of Cal Poly. The impressive photos and unique perspective allows the reader to get a feel for my favorite Central Coast town and University! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in San Luis Obispo and require that loyal Alums buy it today.

I agree with what the other reviews have said. It does has a lot of excellent photos of Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo. Surpised to see how much different the downtown was 100 years ago.

What was missed in the DVD is covered in detail in this book. Very concise, lots of instructional diagrams & photos - the exercizes in the DVD are clearly explained. Should be sold as a package!

Very easy to read and well explained book. Well worth a read. Reccomended

I'm a reader from Germany and I've met Richard Hinrichs a few times. He actually gives some of my friends lessons and I think he's one of the greatest horseman of the 21st century. His book is well-structured and easy to understand and you can almost "feel" the sensitiveness in his way to train horses, but it's necessary that everybody who want to go "his" way with horses had lessons in the past and experiences with this kind of classical dressage.
So is this book really great for professionals and for look up in connection with a professional training but bad to get completely new in this science!!!!!!!!!!!

This isn't really a beginner's book - except as an example of something to aspire to, as it contains page after page of the most delicious equine eye-candy.
However, I disagree with another reviewer that this book is only for the professional. As well as being to some extent a 'scholarly tome', it contains some delightful anecdotes and pictures of goats, dogs, ponies and horses not of 'classical' type performing "haute ecole" movements.
In addition, it contains some simple exercises to maximise athleticism and suppleness that any eager horseman could try, whether their equine be a Shetland pony or a Baroque stallion.
Well worth reading!

...His book is well structured and good to understand, but it's better to have more experience in working with horses and especially in classical riding. Who don't want to ruin the horse has to take lessons by an well trained horse man, before...
But: The book is really great, check this out!!!!!