Reed Books

Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (7/08)

Written by a life and business coach, "30 Days to a New You" offers ways to help individuals make changes in their lives through the use of positive thinking. The reader is taught how to achieve the `Big' picture (his wants and desires) through the use of the `Small' picture (goals to be met in order to achieve the `Big' picture). The author stresses the importance of taking small steps to reach one's dreams while constantly reevaluating along the way. It is important to celebrate the successes, but not to punish oneself over the failure to complete a goal. Instead, reassessment of the goal or the methods utilized in the attempt to achieve it should be done.

Each chapter contains exercises that challenge the reader to think about how his everyday life, his work life, and relationships will change as he makes changes in himself. Many of the exercises build upon what was learned in earlier chapters, so it is important not to skip around in an effort to finish faster.

Magnetti makes many excellent suggestions on how to change one's life, but two points really stood out for me. First, you are responsible for your own happiness. Only you can change what you don't like, so do not be misled in thinking if other people change you will be happier. The second point deals with the language we use. The small change from saying "I need to" or "I should" to "I want to" reminds you that you are in control and increases your motivation to achieve.

"30 Days to a New You" by Monica Magnetti is an excellent resource for anyone interested in making changes in his life. The exercises force the reader to be honest with him or herself and to take charge of their own life by recognizing that they alone are responsible for how their life unfolds. Discussing one's desires and goals in small groups would be beneficial as each member could provide support for the others and share their experiences through the process of making life changes. The author's positive attitude and excellent motivational skills will inspire even those most fearful of making important changes for their futures.

Michael Schantz
Robert D. Reed Publishers (2008)
ISBN 9781934759066
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (9/08)


I have read a lot of books on business and leadership and found this one to be very inspiring. The author, Michael Schantz, takes leadership principles to a whole new level, as each principle is written from an enlightened perspective. If business leaders incorporate this viewpoint in their businesses, as I am sure some of the successful businesses have today, then the results should be amazing.

Not only does the book have the 75 principles for conscious leadership, but every principle begins with little gems of wisdom. Good examples of these include: principle 4 - Access and Trust Authentic Intuition, "Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it." (Anonymous), Principle 17 - Give Effective Feedback without Emotional Charge, "The challenge is to be a light, not a judge; to be a model, not a critic." (Stephen R. Covey). And another favorite of mine is Principle 27 - Lead by Doing, "In visionary companies, the drive for progress arises from a deep human urge - to explore, to create, to change, to improve. It's a deep inner, compulsive - almost primal - drive." (James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porrus)

The principles include time-proven principles such as: embrace leadership as a learned discipline, embrace risk in decision-making, perform key objectives one by one and create an integrated vision and mission statement. Some of the newer, more spiritual principles to read about are: access and trust authentic intuition, practice empathy and compassion, balance technology with compassion, tithe and give back and integrate the feminine into leadership.

"75 Principles of Conscious Leadership: Inspired Skills for 21st Century Business" by Michael Schantz is definitely for students of new thought and for those who are not happy with the results of doing things in the same old way. I found it very gratifying to see enlightenment addressed in making businesses and executives successful. I highly recommend it to those who are interested in spirituality in all aspects of their life.

This book is very different from most other financial books in the sense that I was left with real life steps that should be taken. I felt I was more in control with my finacial picture. The book was fairly easy to read and I found very little fluff. I felt it was of help and I will use several of the strategies that Mr. Reed gives.

Reading the Poems in this book takes me on a journey that can only be described as "Pure Delight". The poet has captured, in so many ways, a journey of the senses. A journey that takes us on an experience that can only be described as WOW!
I cannot wait to read her next collection.

this is an awesome book about tax saving strategies. like Reed's other books, its full of information and low on fluff. definitely a must read for all investors.

With so many experts bloviating opinions it is refeshing to get honest, intellegent,witty,and most of all brief opinions organized in this manner. I found the book to be fun and important with simple bullets of truth,humor and insight. I couldn't put it down until i read it twice!

Unlike most books on AIDs, this books shows the reality of how many people suffer from AIDs. The series by Enslow discusses more than just the disease or disaster (Disaster Series), as there are many books out there with this basic information. This is a book about real people living with the disease. Definitely would recommend this book if you want something different to read on the subject and to be touched by human lives. A note from the author.

I've used this book many times for multiple different processes and it's never let me down. Anecdotal and fun to read, the authors also give good practical advice from experience.

Don Ball, Jr., photographer, artist, poet. More photos than in Railroads, as well as more text. Railroads is more of a "coffee table" book, with larger photos and only one per page. This one gives you twice as many photos and more description. The two books complement each other well. About half of the photos in this one are by other train photographers, but since they were chosen by Mr. Ball, you can be sure they're good. Another gorgeous, beautiful book by the master!

Dan Reed writes an organized and balanced story of American Airlines and the company's president, Robert Crandall. Bob Crandall was a innovative leader in the marketing and operation of United State's airlines.

Crandall used the SABRE computerized system of reservartions, the practice of gathering passengers in regional "hub" airports to fill big planes operating between major hubs and the frequent flyer programs to build American Airlines the nation's first airline during the years following the 1978 de-regulation of tha airline industry.

This is an exciting book which correctly predicted in 1993, that the great period of airline innovation may be ending. The only shortcoming in the book is that it was published too soon. In the fall of 1993, American's flight attendants went on strike which symbolized the real end of the period of turmoil and innovation which this book had predicted.