Reed Books

Tom Massey has given us a ten commitment strategy for getting the right people in the right position to build a vision focused, values based, purpose driven, service oriented high performance team.

The format from the table of contents to the final chapter stimulates thought provoking reading. The book is designed to be read quickly for an overview. A second reading is necessary to digest, and assimilate the principles introduced. Each chapter closes with a set of questions and activities for application to assist the team leader in implementing and applying these principles effectively.

The book is forceful and straightforward, an excellent tool for integrating your purpose statement, goals, objectives and performance. Massey's thoughtful analysis and creative thinking can be applied in every business setting.

The author stresses the importance of committing to a learning environment. He gives pointers for action based strategic leadership training and step by step instructions to equip your team.

Massey is recognized as a distinguished innovative corporate leadership trainer and coach. He has authored three other cutting edge books in the business/self help genre.

This is a significant management resource tool for equipping the busy business executive. I recommend the book for every manager who wants to sharpen the focus of their team, and for "anyone who aspires to leave the world a better place."

Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (01/07)

The "Ten Commitments for Building High Performance Teams" has lots of valuable management advice packed into 82 pages. Tom Massey, the author, heads each chapter with one of the 10 commitments needed for building a successful team. The author promises in the introduction "The ten commitments outlined in this book will help you get the right people in the right positions to develop a focused, values driven, high performance team." Massey asks you to read the book all the way through and then read each commitment separately and incorporate it before moving onto the next commitment. Each chapter also has a practical applications section that includes questions and activities pertinent to applying that section.

The 10 Commitments are as follows:

1. Commit to getting the right people "on the bus." Take the time to really think about the qualities, skills and needs that each job requires before making the hiring decision.
2. Commit to getting everyone on the same page. A team can only be effective if it's has a common goal and vision.
3. Commit to creating a learning environment. Investing in your team can create an environment that will lead to success.
4. Commit to sharing the profits and losses. A team will feel vested in a business and strive harder when they can also enjoy the profits.
5. Commit to turning around poor performance. Poor performance has to be turned around or it can bring down the whole team.
6. Commit to dancing with "those that brought you." This is very important chapter on loyalty - yours, as well as the team.
7. Commit to playing to win. You have to be able to move your team through fear to develop a winner's attitude.
8. Commit to growing through adversity. Conflict is a part of team work. Accept it and teach your team to work through it.
9. Commit to having fun. High performance teams typically have high productivity, creativity and morale. The bottom line is they have fun.
10. Commit to playing large. It has to be more than just a job for a team to be successful. Give them purpose.

The book is written in a straightforward common-sense approach. I highly recommend "Ten Commitments for Building High Performance Teams" for those of you in management or contemplating going into management. I plan to immediately implement these commitments into my team at work.

Reviewed by William E. Cooper (11/06)

Tom Massey, who is a long time corporate leadership trainer, has produced a truly excellent book on how to navigate through life with commitments to high standards, integrity, enthusiasm, and good health. His ten points offer a roadmap based on wisdom and experience, his and others. The book is well written and organized, at the same time being an enjoyable read.

As a retired Chief of Police and the author of my own book, Leading beyond Tradition, it was my responsibility to provide the employees and citizens with such a map for their safety and work experience, as well as the quality of life for the community. I have taught leadership extensively in the public and private sectors and recognize there is, at best, inconsistency in what leadership actually is and how to make it work in today's world. Leadership is about people and Mr. Massey clearly recognizes those principles that constitute success.

The ten commitments Mr. Massey lists and describes are really what it takes to not only lead, but live your life to its fullest with honor and dignity. The criticality of each commitment cannot be overemphasized, and by combining all ten the practitioner lives the behaviors and models them to everyone. It has been demonstrated that people who associate with negative people themselves become negative and cynical. One's attitude is a choice, solely that of the individual, and the commitments in Mr. Massey's book are the guide to follow. While they are nothing new, they are what is necessary. Every successful person over the ages has believed in and practiced these commitments.

It has been said that once a person stops learning, they languish in the past, while one who commits to continuous learning and improvement stays current and able to live well and contribute at a higher level. The anecdotes provided in Mr. Massey's book are relevant and aligned with delivering his message. This is a book that should be read by everyone. It should be part of every home library, public library, and educational institution. These are the principles that made us great, made us what we are. We need to know them, understand them, and live by them.

Thank you Mr. Massey, for remembering them and bringing them home once again.

Tom Massey's book "Ten Commitments for Men" is more than a self help book. This is a guide for developing a purpose driven life. Massey encourages the reader to explore their passions and to develop the courage to take risks. Each of the ten chapters of the book provides an opportunity for self examination. Each chapter then provides action steps that allow the reader an opportunity to make another of the ten specific commitments for men outline in the text.

Tom's stories from life enhance his teaching techniques and create for, you, the reader a long remembered pleasurable experience.

The format of the book suggests a once through reading with questions, and exercises to be considered at the end of each chapter.
After the initial reading the book should be assimilated by taking the life action steps suggested and making a commitment to incorporate them into your lifestyle.

Massey helps the reader explore the value of self discipline, good health habits, creativity, becoming fully engaged in the present, and the importance of fun and laughter. I have been personally challenged to become a difference-maker a catalyst for positive change. I want to leave and impact on my family, my community, and my work place.

Tom Massey's twenty years of success in corporate and individual leadership training experience have provided him insights into authoring numerous books. This book highlights and captures the essence of Tom's work. This is a book that should be read by every man who wants to make his world a better place.

Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views

This book will open new doors to your life. Simply reading it won't be enough, you have to delve into it with your heart and soul, sort of like how Susanne Blake tells you to live your life... with heart and soul.

This "How To" book is very unique. There is no preaching about how you messed up and how you should change. Instead, Ms. Blake takes the approach of teaching you how to love yourself from deep within. Finding the real you. Finding your "Self". Finding a new life, by making a conscious decision to live your life from deep within.

What I enjoyed most about the book was that at the end of each chapter, the author not only produces a simple, well explained plan of how to put her words into action so you can make life changing decisions but she also provides questions and a work area to bring your actions full circle. You're not only becoming aware of more intense you, but you're seeing it in black and white.

In the beginning Blake comments on how, as a baby, we are given literally a brain with all this knowledge of what God wants us to know. While we have no clue at that time that we have it, nor do we know how to use it, it's still there. She suggests taking a picture of yourself as a baby and posting it up so you can see it daily. Look into the eyes of that child and see the simplicity and depth it reflects. That is the true you, your true Self. That is what you want to go back and feel. Before anyone told you how to feel or how to act. Before anyone fed you their beliefs and ideas. The core within that was untouched by anyone but the maker Himself. That is where you want to be again, to achieve pure happiness and purpose to your life.

One of my favorite areas of the book had to do with women and relationships. Not just "romantic" relationships, although they are a part of it, but the other relationships in your life. The people you choose for friends. The people you choose to be with. The people you choose to love or hate. Ms. Blake discusses our sometimes poor judgment in relationships that we tend to repeat over and over again. She shows you how to approach these relationships, whether they're romantic or platonic, and view them from 4 very real areas - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The author discusses ridding yourself of these 'bad' relationships to help yourself become whole again and while she does tell you how to do it, she also supplies means of achieving this level of happiness by giving you exercises to do that will bring you one step closer to happiness. I personally think that our relationships are a huge majority of who we are and what we become, and when surrounded by people who pull you down and bring you into an area of unhappiness, you will never become fully alive deep within.

The author gives a deep, rational and valid explanation of how to literally become the person you were born to be. She shows you how to work at being content with life and with your life's decisions. The end results can only be wonderful, giving you a sense of self-worth, power, success and inner peace. By making the decisions that make you happy, you will make everyone around you happier also. Putting yourself before others, those on your list of priorities that have always come first, will help make you a more complete and content person. Not only will you benefit from the changes that will take place after putting her words into practice, but those around you will benefit from finding the REAL you. Blake not only tells you how to find your own happiness but holds your hand along the way to make sure you achieve it.

The intent of this book is to transform the life of the reader and to improve their relationships. The focus is on learning to know yourself, finding balance, prioritizing, and taking a look at the negatives and positives in your life. Blake integrates the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life in finding solutions, in healing, and in making wise choices. Susanne relates how imbalance in your life draws difficulties to an already stressful situation. She helps the reader produce a more balanced life through "centeredness". By making these ten commitments you can replace chaos in your life with peace and harmony. You can become an agent of change, a visionary, and in control of your own self development.

Each chapter presents a concept of commitment followed by an exercise designed to produce positive results. A set of questions help stimulate new thinking and self-discovery. Completion of these exercises and carefully answering the questions will help the reader to develop the virtues of courage, wisdom, fortitude, and generosity. These exercises are designed to be completed individually or with a friend. You will find that by applying Susanne's principles will become an exploration into self actualization, wholeness, and creativity.

Susanne shares real examples from her professional and personal experiences. In this way the reader is bonded to the author who becomes authentic and genuine as a person. She challenges the reader to recognize that this will be the result and the mark of assimilating the "Ten Commitments".

This is a timely, powerful and dynamic self-help guide for every woman.

I love this book! She takes the commandments, turns them into commitments and gives you a metaphysical approach to a more loving and peaceful way to live. I especially loved chapter 8: Something for Nothing based on "Thou shalt not steal". I consider myself a very honest person and I certainly do not steal! As I read the chapter, I realized I steal every day! I try to steal unearned weight loss without exercising or giving up too much food; I try to steal a day filled with energy but refuse to turn off the light before 1 a.m. because I want to read more of my book; I try to steal peace of mind but procrastinate important tasks which, of course, wears on any peace of mind I might feel that day...it was very interesting to realize this and commit to her statement "I make a commitment to Consciousness". I now pay attention to what I am trying to do on a daily basis and how I can get there without "stealing". I recommend this book highly.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (11/06)

No one likes to be told what not to do; it "tickles that headstrong, willful part of us into full rebellion." Robin Haruna takes the "shall nots" and puts them in a positive format.

"I come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." When the author asked "What is an abundant life?" she received the following response from participants:
- A life that supports my core values.
- Knowing who I am as a person of God even when circumstances change.
- Living a life of challenge and resolution, of intrigue and enthusiasm.
- Being satisfied with what is.
- Feeling peace, love, and joy.
The participants did not stress material things. This intrigued Robin.

Robin proposes the following commitments:
- I make a commitment to Love.
- I make a commitment to Wholeness
- I make a commitment to Positive Expression.
- I make a commitment to Let Go.
- I make a commitment to Thinking and Feeling.
- I make a commitment to Life.
- I make a commitment to Integrity.
- I make a commitment to Consciousness.
- I make a commitment to Honesty.
- I make a commitment to Appreciation.

I tried to pick one particular commitment to be my favorite but couldn't. For each commitment is important and spoke to me about my walk with the Lord. Robin used wonderful stories to illustrate her points. When we come to the Lord we intend to follow the commandments but then there are those "Uh oh!" moments. "Like the Israelites during the time of Moses, when we step onto the spiritual path and things are going great, we believe we have found the answer to all our challenge--past, present, and future. But times get rough or times get uncertain, we tend to return to worship the golden calf of the past."

This book is beautifully written. The Robin Haruna has approached scripture in a unique way. Robin has taken parts of the book of Exodus and explained it in simple easy to understand language. She challenges us to make a commitment, a covenant to the Lord. She challenges us to take God out of the box. The print is a nice size and easy to read. The cover is interesting and eye catching. I truly enjoyed reading this book. It has a lot to offer. I highly recommend "The Ten Commitments: Entering the Promised Land of Abundant Life" to everyone.

I read this book on my Best of Thomas DVD with and without narration, and I feel like getting this book. I also like to get Thomas tells a lie, and Hooray For Thomas. Percy had seen a dinosaur. He thinks it was a dragon. Thomas goes out. He tells Percy. He goes back to the forest. He doesn't know until the driver said it was a dinosaur model for the new dinosaur park. Harold comes and lifts the model on the flat truck. Men fasten it. Percy sees it. Thomas tells him "Don't worry Percy, this isn't a dragon. This is a dinosaur model for the new dinosaur park." He passes the school, and the children waved. He gets three cheers from Sir Topham Hatt and all the people who are desining the park and his driver, fireman, and conductor.

This is my son's favorite Thomas the Tank Engine story because it is written at his level. The Jellybean Books are written for younger children and this story is very engaging and involves a dinosaur, a subject close to the hearts of many youngsters. This is the perfect book for any young Thomas the Tank Engine fan.

A Thread Of Gold: A Three Century Search For A Colorado Gold Bonanza is the fictional and historical interpretation of a three century, three state tale of three brothers searching for an ultimate gold reservoir. In the midst of their search, however, the three brothers find themselves in various significant landmarks of the old western era. Although fictional, A Thread Of Gold provides an interesting and informative history of western America's history which is highly recommended for students of American history. A Thread Of Gold is a very educational as well as highly entertaining read and quite appropriate for personal, school, and community library collections.

This Historical fiction novel is an amazing read. Not only does the author incorporate real events, but also fictional events that draw the reader in. His writing style is great and it keeps you interested to the last page! Great book!

This is a wonderful book! I read it at a time of tremendous upheaval in my life and found it to be quite insightful. It offers a positive perspective for those who find themselves in the midst of tumultuous, unsettling personal situations. I recommend it highly!

Useful as it explains many aspects of making successful transitions. Essentially with a theme of thriving it has interesting case studies. It list the difference between the 'old zero' and the 'new zero'. It also shows the characteristics of a coper and profiles the traits of a thriver. The book is a 'workplan' for those who wish to become thrivers. Not only does the book address the issue of careers but many other personal challenges one faces in life. I would recommend this book to mentors, coaches and cousellors.

This is a terrific book, both in style and content. It should be required reading for every Baby Boomer on the planet. This author is a gifted writer who can get to the real heart of the matter without drowning the reader in wordage.

AFTER THE FALL OF VIETNAM: NEW ADVENTURE NOVEL ABOUT A DRAFT DODGER'S JOURNEY THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

Few of us ever get to go back to the road not taken, but middle-aged draft dodger Frank Walsh does in the new novel Through the Picture Tube, by Patrick Grady. Twenty years after the end of the Viet Nam war, the man who still lives in Canada finds himself depressed and haunted - haunted by the loss of his wife, haunted by the death of his high school friend in a faraway jungle, and haunted by his own regrets. Seeking to find out what happened to his black friend, the only American killed in a village massacre, he begins an odyssey that forces him to come to grips with the moral dilemmas of war. At the same time, he finds new love with a beautiful Vietnamese woman as he unravels the mystery of really happened on that fateful day in a long-forgotten village called Bien Lai. Through the Picture Tube is a revealing study of the war we watched on television and an examination of how our lives are forever changed by the choices we make. Patrick Grady is an American draft dodger who still lives in Canada. His own experiences were chronicled in James Dickerson's book, North To Canada: Men and Women Against the Viet Nam War.

This book and its illustrations will bring back memories of childhood summer vacations and will make your children excited to go on their own summer trips. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed -- your children will love to read and re-read this book as they try to pick out all of the interesting details.

My boys absolutely loved this book. The illustrations really caught their eyes. They pointed out many things that I didn't even notice at first glance. Although the boys have not personally taken the Downeaster, they have been on a train and related well to the book. Rebecca Harrison Reed is a highly talented children's book artist! I look forward to her next book.

I grew up in Tyler, Texas, and recognize many of the places (and people) in the photographs of this book. The author did a great job of truly showing the history of this unique,east Texas town by using vintage and rare photos. For anyone with a family history in Tyler, this is a must-see book!

This is a wonderful book on the East Texas city which is the center of business and comfortable living for families. It's an ever growing area which showcases a number of beautiful flower shows each year: The Texas Rose Festival, the Azalea Trail and Gardens, the Hisotric Home Tours, the East Texas State Fair, among many other events throughout the year. It has number of beautiful historic districts which has many of it's original red brick streets. Tyler has a number of great colleges and huge medical centers which keeps growing. This book gives a great overall early history in photos of a progressive city thats located in the east texas piney woods.