Richard Books

Iwo tells the tale of the battle for Iwo Jima, as a veteran of the battle, Mr. Wheeler was in an excellent position to tell us about the battle that few historians would be able to meet. Mr. Wheeler opens his book by describing the Japanese leaders and preparations for defending Iwo Jima. This is rapidly followed by the American preparations and the initial landing. The center piece is the assault and flag raising on Suribachi; concluding with the Americans taking Iwo Jima

My Likes
Mr. Wheeler tells this in a very gritty way, that of a Marine who was on the beach and tasted the sulfur in the air and dirt. When reading this book you can almost feel the shells crashing around you and know that someone is watching each move you make up the beachhead. I particularly love how Mr. Wheeler provides nice details about each of the Marines he covers; a little more than most historians would provide you. Another love is the details on E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division; his old unit. When describing his unit, Mr. Wheeler provides excellent background and feeling for the men. Particular attention is paid to the two flag raisings. Another great addition Mr. Wheeler provides is on the Japanese, their preparations and their leaders; something just starting when this book was originally written. The additional pieces about the Japanese help us to understand more about the battle.

My Dislikes
Maps. The few maps in the edition I have are of lower quality. I would have loved to have seen some nice maps included in the book that showed where the Marines were on at the end of the first day and other significant days. I also would have enjoyed having a nice breakdown of what the Japanese bunker networks looked like. This would have been great for showing readers how terrible the fields of fire were. I also wish the Navy would have been included a little more than they were (they're there, but more to take the Marines to Iwo, prep the area, and then support them). My other desirement for the book was focusing on the other Marine units as well as he did his own.

The Rating
A very solid 4 star book (going rapidly to 4.5 stars). The writing is nice and clean as it's told from the Marines perspective. There's also excellent photos. This made me lean to 5 stars, but with the lack of maps and the coverage of the other Marine units not being as good as the assault on Suribachi I'm rounding to 4 stars. That said, I seriously doubt that any book can describe the valor of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines as well as this one did. A very good book!

We were searching for books that would depict the true situation on Iwo Jima during WWII. We were thrilled with this selection. We found two pictures we believe to be my husband's father. We have looked for photos where my mother-in-law could see well enough to say if it was her husband. These photos were excellent.

written so excellent, one will hardly ever forget. Dramatic, shocking and sad book about proud not afraid to die but nevertheless doomed Japanese soldiers and desperate, brave, pushed to the limits Marines, all dying for..(?!). Books about Stalingrad and Monte Casino come to my mind and "Iwo" should be on your shelf together with them. Maybe your children will read it some day and try to ponder nature of wars decided by individuals (rulers/politicians) and resulting in tragedy for many; as
Bertrand Russell noted: "war does not determine who is right, only who is left".

I am a USMC veteran who reads extensively about WW II. This is the best book about Iwo Jima I have ever read and have recommended it to my old buddies.

IWO is spellbinding. Written from the point of view of the Marines that fought, it tells their story and keeps the reader glued to the pages. Graphic discriptions of life and death hold the attention and provide a new insight to this battle. A must read for anyone intrested the military and war history.

"Jadwiga's Crossing" was many years in the formation by a father and son writing team, and it proves well worth the wait.

Based on records of real people, Poles who crossed the ocean from Poland to find a new life in America, the story has everything a good novel needs: imagery, themes, conflict, and characterization.

The novel begins in a fishing village in Poland and ends in Dunkirk, New York, but the greater part of it takes place aboard the immigrant-laden ship carrying uncertain but bravely optimistic flesh and blood people to a new land and a new life. They lived lives as so many of our ancestors must have done.

Highly Recommended.

James Conroyd Martin
Author of "Push Not the River"
and "Against a Crimson Sky"
[...]

I enjoyed reading this book about the history of people living in America. No matter what country our ancestors came from travel to this country was not easy. Adjusting to the life here was also difficult.
I highly recommend this novel.

The book began in Poland, it shows the complexities of the relations between Poles from different provinces - since Poland did not exist as a country then but was divided by Russia, Prussia and Austria. It reads also as a documentary of the ocean travel at the end of the XIX century with all the details one can imagine.
The story is told mostly through the eyes of a newlywed couple, Paul Adamik and Jadwiga Wdowiak Adamik. At its beginning, she finds him, an obedient soldier in the Prussian army, intending to re-enlist, carry on his family's farming tradition, or accept an offer to become the caretaker of his German lieutenant's lands in occupied Poland. But Jadwiga dream is to go to free America.
The novel shows that the people who decided to travel oversees had to be very brave and desperate, like the statement from the book, "the fearful never left and the weak never survived."
I recommend it to everybody - especially these interested in what their ancestors had to go through to travel oversees over a hundred years ago!

This is an excellent story that anyone can enjoy but especially readers of Polish heritage. The story is a very realistic journey about what people would do to come to the new country "America" and what they endured to claim their dream. I liked the fact that Jadwiga was a strong female character who knew what she wanted and stood up for what she believed in. The story about the ship and the events that happenned is amazing and I especially liked reading the ending when they ended up in Dunkirk, NY, because I'm from there, and it all made sense. The Lutz family have written a marvelous book and I wish there were more stories like this. Keep us the good work and Stolat!

If you're looking for a book to get lost in, one that will make you stay up until the wee hours of the morning because you just have to find out what happens next, this is it.
Any reader would be mesmerized by this story because it's a tale of love, personal character,overcoming adversity, conflict, history...I mean , this book has it all.
The book follows the emmigration of a young Polish bride and her husband to America. While it is a very interesting story of their day to day struggles the reader has to remind himself that this is probably more historical fact than fiction. This was a challenge shared by so many immigrants of many countries.
If you are a romance-novel fan, you'll love it. If you are a student of history, you'll love it.If you're a fan of drama, you'll love it.
The only negative comment that I have is that although the story has a very satisfying end the reader wishes for more (what happened to these characters in the following 20 years,etc...)
Surely anyone with immigrant ancestors would want to purchase this book for all of their children as a memory of where we came from, why we are here,and why we should be so thankful for what we have.

WOW - What a book, co-authored by Dale Brown and Richard Bolles, the world known author of What Color is Your Parachute. Dale and Richard have developed a book full of concepts, how to and methods for empowering those of us with disabilities to want to seek out employment against the roadblocks that confront the normal job search.

The book is a MUST READ! A "must read" for even people who are currently employed; as it will give you the insight of what a person with a disability will go thru during their job search. Any temporary able bodied person may become disabled at any time in their employed life. Your "employment life" will be altered forever; thru no fault of your own doing.

No one chapter stands out. Each chapter carries its' own weight for the total read of this outstanding document.

I wish the authors great success with an excellent and easy to read reference book and a solid companion to WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE!

The authors have broken down yet another barrier!

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Written by Dale Susan Brown and Richard Nelson Bolles(Author of What Color is Your Parachute), it is a simple and concise guide to finding a job if you have a disability. It pulls no punches and tells it the way it is.
It gives simple, concise advice on how to conduct a job search, and what to do in an interview. It tells you how keep a prospective employer from getting nervous about your disability, and how to communicate in an interview in an honest and positive way.
If you are person with a disability this is a terrific book, if you have a co-worker with a disability, it is a terrific book, if you have people working for you with disabilities it is a terrific book, and if you are a "normal" person (whatever that is...} it is a terrific book.
The advice in the book leverages the expertise of both authors and is sound and easy to understand. It also helps you to do a better job, once you have employment. The book is highly recommended for everyone!

During my own job hunt, I was constantly frustrated by comments made by family and friends. They had assumed that I could receive special preference just because I have a disability.

I have known that my reality is much different; employers do not have to hire me for a job which my disability prevents me from performing the essential functions, and I am responsible for getting myself to the office.

These critical legal distinctions had made my finding a job very difficult inspite of having a dynamic resume and job recomendations which other people must work their whole lives to obtain. I was placed in the unenviable sittuation of having to turn down job offers while classmates with much lower GPAs and far less reccomendations quickly were being placed.

This book is a great resource and affirmation. Job hunting is hard enough as it is, but being a person with a disabilty adds one more challenge to the mix. This book is beneficial for people with disabilities and their friends of all perspectives, but I feel that prospective college graduates and their families should especially read it.

This book was one of two I purchased to help me gain some perspective in how to represent individuals who had various disabilities but wanted to work if they were able. As a job placement counselor, it is my job to help the clients see what they CAN do and teach them ways to accomodate themselves and communicate their needs effectively to employers. This book helped me understand ways to do this so that clients of mine not only attained employment, but also retained that employment for a long time. This book is a great one and I encourage anyone who is disabled, or knows people who are and need your support, to read this. Keep an open mind and try out the ideas presented. I think you will find it gives some great advice!

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Written by Dale Susan Brown and Richard Nelson Bolles(Author of What Color is Your Parachute), it is a simple and concise guide to finding a job if you have a disability. It pulls no punches and tells it the way it is.
It gives simple, concise advice on how to conduct a job search, and what to do in an interview. It tells you how keep a prospective employer from getting nervous about your disability, and how to communicate in an interview in an honest and positive way.
If you are person with a disability this is a terrific book, if you have a co-worker with a disability, it is a terrific book, if you have people working for you with disabilities it is a terrific book, and if you are a "normal" person (whatever that is...} it is a terrific book.
The advice in the book leverages the expertise of both authors and is sound and easy to understand. It also helps you to do a better job, once you have employment. The book is highly recommended for everyone!

When reality passes fantasy!

The only book I've purchased twice.

I have yet to encounter a non- fiction piece so captivating and hard to put down as The Killing of Karen Silkwood. This book goes far beyond her life as depicted in the movie, and the story behind all the people who believed in her and sacrificed tremendous amounts of time and energy at great personal danger to themselves after her death is phenomenal. What really amazed me was the sheer number of government agencies that were involved in spying on and covering up evidence as revealed through depositions, leaks, and court ordered documents. So many that no one seemed to be able to link them together (not even among themselves) except Silkwood's legal and investigative team. I had no idea so many police type agencies existed. It really is unsettling. The research this author did feels exhausting it is so through. The story goes on for over 10 years after her death, and it is well worth reading. It is alot more than just a private citizen (survivors) suing a private corporation. This book is reprinted after many years since it's original publication with several follow-up chapters added. The added chapters really tease you especially where the author indicated that a confidential inside source revealed that they saw a file that documented that the FBI knew very clearly who killed Karen Silkwood.

I became interested in Karen Silkwood after watching the 1983 movie "Silkwood". The film seemed to suggest that Silkwood was murdered, but a number of reviews I subsequently read dismissed "Silkwood" as an irresponsible docudrama that was based on sensationalism rather than fact.

After reading Richard Rashke's "The Killing of Karen Silkwood", I'd have to say that the film didn't take its allegations far enough. Based on thousands of pages of court documents, including depositions, sworn statements, internal memos, and federal records, Rashke makes a convincing case for the following:

Silkwood was deliberately contaminated with plutonium by someone at Kerr-McGee, perhaps on several occasions. Had she lived, Silkwood had a good likelihood of developing cancer because of the significant exposure she experienced.

Silkwood was most likely carrying important documents the night she was murdered; among other things, she had proof that 42.5 pounds of plutonium was missing from K-M's Cimarron plant, which is enough to make three or four nuclear bombs.

Security at the Cimarron plant was dangerously lax, as were safety measures. Workers received little education in regards to nuclear energy or the safety risks that accompany it, and consequently contamination was not taken seriously by employees.

Union members' (and particularly Karen Silkwood's) rights were repeatedly violated by K-M officials, who continually interfered in union activities and even began to spy on Silkwood.

However, the conspiracy surrounding Silkwood's death became even more heinous and inconceivable as Silkwood's side investigated in preparation for trial. Though the truth will probably never be known, Rashke lays out a compelling - though sketchy - account, involving the FBI, the CIA, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Justice Department, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), and a shadowy network of Iranians, Russians, and Israelis. Rashke hints at an international plutonium smuggling ring, and supplies evidence that the FBI was responsible for illegally and covertly spying on a number of organizations as late as the mid-1970s, including various labor unions and their members - and Silkwood was one of their targets.

Rashke's story might sound unbelievable, but most of it is based on public court documents. His interviews with the assorted players in the case may be less trustworthy; yet, many statements are corroborated by court papers. Also lending credence to the Silkwood camp's version of the story is the fact that several significant witnesses died, disappeared, or were threatened during the investigation and ensuing court case. Additionally, the Silkwood lawyers and investigator received death threats and were followed and even assaulted - one must wonder why, if the Silkwood case was wholly without merit. Especially appalling is the federal government's role in the affair, and their failure to cooperate with the civil case.

"Who Killed Karen Silkwood" reads like a novel - it's a compelling book that's hard to put down. Indeed, I expect that I won't soon be able to forget about Silkwood's story and its larger implications. I'm far from what you'd call a conspiracy nut (though I love the X-Files, I identify with Scully as opposed to Mulder!) - yet, the evidence in this case is as convincing as it is frightening. The final two pages will simply blow you away.

My only gripe - Rashke's update to the 2nd edition of the book (released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Silkwood's death) was sorely lacking. He made no mention of what's become of those involved in the case; of any information, either directly or indirectly related to the case, that's been discovered since the end of the investigation; or of the movie, which was a critical and box-office success. Rashke coins the newest section "The Legacy", but he doesn't discuss Silkwood's legacy even briefly. The new chapters focus on the court battles since May 1979 and K-M's troubles with and termination of their nuclear program, but speak little of Silkwood.

This book is not easy but it is readable if you pay attention to details about the nuclear industry. I suspect Karen's death was murder because she was getting too involved in trying to protect her colleagues and herself from getting cancer. Although the movie version changes the relationship between she and her housemate, this book explains so much more. It is a must have book involving a conspiracy that has never truly gone away. Kerr-McGee is still alive and well and thriving but Karen Gay Silkwood was an important and tragic heroine who died risking her life. She may not have been mother of the year to her three children but her contributions and searh for the truth about nuclear contamination is admirable. I know more about her and I like her. Of course, she is not flawless but human like the rest of us.

Here is a story that has probably been largely forgotten, of a young woman who fought a powerful corporation and an inept government (and very likely died for her efforts), and the idealistic and courageous people who came together to discover the truth.

If you were alive in the 70s you might remember Karen Silkwood, her mysterious death, and the court case that went on for years. At least two movies were made about her, but movies scripts can seldom tell the whole story or portray history with accuracy because of the demands of drama and story arc. So while I thought that I had a fairly good understanding of the events of Karen Silkwood's death, I have learned from reading this book that there was so very much more to the story. Not only was Silkwood incredibly brave, but the lawyers who took on her case were equally so. In more than one instance, Dan Sheehan, the lead attorney, must tell his investigator, "You're about to be killed. I've been contacted by the White House..."

From rural Oklahoma and an undereducated young working class woman whose cause was simply to improve the working conditions for the employees in a Kerr-McGee plutonium plant, arose what was possibly a conspiracy that could rival any international spy network: FBI, CIA, NSA, the White House, double agents, foreign powers, death threats, and more. How could such a simple woman as Karen Silkwood become involved in this level of intrigue? Richard Rashke did a masterful job of research, presenting the evidence in such a way that the reader can evaluate the evidence himself.

If Silkwood's story were not true, this book would stand as spirited fiction and would make better reading than many a spy novel; but Silkwood's story is true and this book exposes the depth of corruption, greed, cover-ups, and abuse of power that our government practiced in the 60s and 70s, and probably still practices today. The difference then though, is that exposing the government's actions led to reform-today, no one seems to care.

Dr. Cheshire does a wonderful job of communicating the quantum makeup of the character trait we call leadership. While his work is centered in philanthropy, his research and conclusions have application to all aspects of living. Anyone fascinated with the non physical nature of our physical universe will appreciate and recognize the truth of Dr. Cheshire's words.

Leading by Heart outlines a leadership model which I have used extensively since studying with Dick Cheshire at Chapman University. The model applies to not-for-profit organizations and businesses. In fact, I have applied his leadership principles to all my classes and writing projects. The result has been greater clarity and focus on the importance of personal responsibility. I recommend this book to every voluntary leader in need of a new perspective on the challenges before them.

I find Cheshire's book to be applicable to the world in which we live. As a pastor of a church, I have bought copies for my Executive Board members to read, knowing that his emphasis upon compassionate leadership is what we all need to hear. He blends current scientific thought -- quantum physics -- with the need for new thinking in the Leadership world.
It was also helpful to have two scenarios played out -- volunteer institutions needing change -- in the form of college presidents and the dilemmas they face.
"Leading by heart is the primary challenge of our time." I can't agree more. Anyone who works with volunteers needs to read this book.

As an Executive Director of a small non-profit Dr. Cheshire's work has given me a new perspective on my role and that of our agency in the community. His case examples provided the context needed to apply the theories presented. It is a great honor that I was able to work with Dr. Cheshire during the summer of 2003 and discuss practical applications of "Leading By Heart" to my work and my leadership style. He is truly an amazing man with a wealth of experience. This is a must read for leaders in the non profit world.

Today, when imperious Management is confused with Leadership and many "leaders" at the highest levels of business and government have thrown moral practice aside for personal power and profit, Dr. Cheshire's book is a charismatic call for an ethical rebirth of Leadership. Since completing a Master's level program he taught in 1997, with a array of stellar guests, I have followed the ideas laid out in the Quantum Civics Paradigm presented in Leading By Heart.

It is a call to arms for those chivalrous enough to place a standard higher than reward, in their lives, their work and their voluntary activities. Dr. Cheshire states the sound philosophy of doing the greatest good, at the least expense, for the greatest number of people, over the longest period, in any endeavor. Leading By Heart is also the public presentation of his theories of organizational DNA and the formula for assessing organizational potential, I=am². These are exciting ideas with great potential in the fields of leadership and fundraising.

The material in this book has moved me in my career and personal life, and I have been forever changed by it. Read it, use it and the world will be better for your being here. That is the promise in each of us. That is the potential of Leading By Heart.

Hank Lamb
Director
Pros & Cons Project
Livingston, TX & Perris, CA

This book gave me hope when I had almost lost it. I came to the end of my seminary education and I was ready to throw in the towel. Once you're on the inside of the church, once you necessarily lose all those false illusions about what ministry is really about, you may find you don't have the stomach for it. I look at the church, and how slow things change, and I wonder if there is any hope at all. Niebuhr honestly lays out his own transition from green seminarian to seasoned pastor of hope and grace, radical, but real. It was a breath of grace and peace...just what I needed.

Reinhold Niebuhr's small book, Leaves from the Notebook of a Tamed Cynic, is perhaps his most famous and popular book. It has informed and helped to shape the lives and ministries of seminarians, educators, ministers and other prophetic and ethical people since it was first published early in this century. Niebuhr recounts with astonishing honesty the difficulties facing those who would do ministry, and act ethically, in the church today. His criticism is not held back from any sacred topics.

`I make no apology for being critical of what I love. No one wants a love which is based upon illusions, and there is no reason why we should not love a profession and yet be critical of it.'

Niebuhr talks about the shock of coming to realise the limitations of his ministry, going from being a fresh-from-seminary full-of-grace minister to a person confronting another person in the 'real world'. He talks about

`...the difficulty of acting as priest. It is not in your power to determine the use of a symbol. Whether it is a blessing or a bit of superstition rests altogether with the recipient.'

This real world also presents problems. Parishioners tend to ask practical questions, rather than theoretical ones. They ask, Why won't Jesus heal me? Didn't he heal others? It is in the Bible, after all.

`I do believe that Jesus healed people. I can't help but note, however, that a large proportion of his cures were among the demented.'

He talks about the practical limitations of doing ethical ministry and prophesy for the average pulpit preacher.

`I am not surprised that most prophets are itinerants. Critics of the church think we preachers are afraid to tell the truth because we are economically dependent upon the people of our church. There is something in that....'

Finally, Niebuhr comes to have realistic expectations of the church and his own ministry in it.

`The church is like the Red Cross service in war time. It keeps life from degenerating into a consistent inhumanity, but it does not materially alter the fact of the struggle itself. The Red Cross neither wins the war nor abolishes it.'

Niebuhr in this small work has given great insight. Barely 150 short pages of his journal from 1915-1928 as a parish minister--although he became much better known as a philosopher in later years, this book is most likely his best seller, and the one with the most profound day-to-day impact for his readers.

A must-read for anyone with a calling to ministry; a should-read for anyone in a helping and caring profession. It gives insight into how to remain human and fallible in the face of a congregation's (and one's own!) expectations of holiness and godly perfection.

I am a HUGE Niebuhr fan, and I strong suggest that anyone interested in politics, economics, social philosophy and/or theology should pick up as many of his works as possible. This book was a real treat for me, to get into peer into his mind in those oh so important formative years as a pastor in Detroit, WOW!

Even when he's just writing random thoughts on the passing scene, he's a fantastic writer. Here you have a demonstration of Bonhoeffer's views of the true Christian life which must "share in the problems of secular life, and teach all men what it means to live in Christ". You see the greater and greater emphasis on the role of repentence and the way Christ's oh so rigorous ethic acts as a judgment on all human behavior as time goes on. This will all become so important as he turns his mind to writing his great theological and social works in the 30's and 40's.

This book is a fairly easy read, none to technical, and relatively short, you can probably read it in 3 or 4 sittings. Pay attention to the way Niebuhr's doubts about his own position become theological fare, informing the way he thinks about theology and life in toto.

This little gem was probably my favorite book from seminary. Niebuhr takes you with him on the difficult journey through the first years of his parish ministry and teaches you how to think theologically about really practical dilemmas that arise as a clergyperson. My favorite thing about the book is that it is not written as a memoir, but in the moment, so you don't have an old, brilliant theologian reflecting on his years in ministry, but rather a young, brilliant pastor who doesn't know all the answers and doesn't pretend to. I feel like Reinhold has become a close friend though the end of seminary and my first year working in the church, because he gives words to and insight into many of the struggles I have had.

This is a collection of Neibuhrs short essays. Each one stands on its own as a reflection of reality as applicable today as it was decades ago. I like it so much I am rationing it, reading one or two essays a day and stopping to think about the lesson in each one. These are sermons that are not "preachy" recognizing the human frailities and what should be expected of us. A book for the ages in my opinion

At last a practical way to review and analyse the culture of an organisation and track its development.

What are organisations for? This book enables the reader to understand the root causes of current imbalances in the world economy/ecology and know what they can do (within their reach) to make a difference.

A synthesis of the works of Stephen Covey, Jim Collins and other great corporate alchemists.

In his visionary and hopeful book, Global Mind Change, The Promise of the 21st Century (1990), futurist Willis Harman observed that we are in the midst of the greatest social shift since the Middle Ages, a change in the actual belief structure of Western society. As the dominant institution in society, Willis felt business had an obligation and the potential to lead this shift. In Creative Work: The Constructive Role of Business in a Transforming Society (1990), he provided some benchmarks of new paradigm business and examples of a handful of leading companies.

Richard Barrett is clearly an inspired central figure in empowering the business world to take its place as an evolutionary and transformational force. Through his consulting practice, speaking engagements and now his powerful new book, Liberating the Corporate Soul, Richard presents the business world a gift of immense proportions providing a clear understanding of how to liberate the untapped creative brilliance, deep compassion and universal love that has been trapped within the prisons of old paradigm business models.

He challenges business leaders to "create strategic goals that call for quantum increases in performance that promote transformational thinking." "These improvements are achieved", he says, "only by taking a systems approach-a shift in basic assumptions that create a new way of being and doing - evolution". "Not doing things differently, but doing different things." Not shifting things around a table but creating a new table. "When individuals are asked to participate in transformational thinking they tap into their intuition and creativity. This type of thinking can only be maintained in corporate cultures that are built around trust, employee involvement and openness."

He cites the research of Collins and Porras whose book, Built to Last, proves that "contrary to business school doctrine, maximizing shareholder wealth and profits are not the dominant driving forces in most long lasting successful companies. Throughout the history of most visionary companies a core ideology existed that transcended purely economic considerations."

Quoting mystic poet Kahil Gibran, who said "work is love made visible", he goes on to say that "the challenge for companies in the twenty-first century is to create a work environment that encourages personal fulfillment-taking care of employees' physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs....to live out their passions and provide them with opportunities for service". According to a 1995 Newsweek article, 58% of Americans feel the need to experience spiritual growth. "What better place", Richard asks, "than through your work?

Building on the work of humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow, he finds that "most companies are stuck in the lower levels of consciousness he has identified as survival, relationship or self-esteem consciousness."

Barrett has developed the Balanced Need Scorecard and other powerful laser-like measuring tools to help organizations determine if the values they espouse are being embraced and lived. In the end, he believes "companies either operate from the fears of the ego or the love of the soul". Richard defines evolutionary leaders as "people who hold a vision and courageously pursue that vision in such a way that it resonates with the souls of people".

As the editor of an online publication that explores new paradigms in business and other disciplines, I would not risk entering the 21st century without reading, digesting and implementing the ideas contained in Liberating the Corporate Soul. Those companies that do will have a strategic advantage over those that don't. More importantly, it is unlikely that corporations will survive without creating transformational cultures that nurture and liberate.

New Book Provides Road Map and Tools For Building Visionary, Values-Based Businesses

(Washington, D.C. - December 1, 1998) You don't have to look far these days to witness the growing trend in business to nurture the corporate "soul." Once muttered in hushed tones of self-conscious reserve, soft-sounding words like "values" and "meaning" and "spirituality" are becoming as bold and common in the corporate lexicon as hard-nosed phrases like "bottom-line" and "return on investment." Until recently, though, the two vocabularies have struggled to come together in any cohesive, systematic process for guiding the strategies and actions of corporate America.

In a new book entitled Liberating the Corporate Soul (Butterworth-Heinemann publishers), author and business consultant, Richard Barrett, bridges that gap with an approach to organizational planning that will warm the hearts of human resources, corporate affairs and financial people alike.

The book begins with a review of Barrett's central thesis that "who you are and what you stand for are becoming just as important as what you sell." Next, Barrett describes his Corporate Transformation ToolsSM which is a set of measurement instruments for "auditing" individual and organizational values. Finally, the book provides a framework for using those tools to build a visionary, values-based organization.

Barrett's model is based partly on the landmark work of Abraham Maslow who defined the human "hierarchy of needs" on four main levels - security, relationship, self-esteem, and self-actualization. "Maslow himself concluded, however, that self-actualized individuals were actually motivated by higher states of consciousness, including spiritual needs," says Barrett. "But he never fully delineated what those states were."

Liberating the Corporate Soul expands on Maslow's work with a detailed explanation of Barrett's Seven Levels of Organizational Consciousness (survival, relationship, self-esteem, transformation, organization, community, and society) and Seven Levels of Leadership Consciousness (authoritarian, paternalist, manager, facilitator, collaborator, partner/servant, wisdom/visionary). According to Barrett, one level isn't necessarily superior to another. "All are relevant. It's really more a question of balance," he says. "However, it is at the higher levels of consciousness that organizations are meeting spiritual needs that focus more on the common good than individual self-interest."

The book's message and methodology are receiving acclaim from noted business leaders and authors throughout the world. Martin Rutte, co-author of the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work calls Barrett's book "the bold, practical blueprint we need for moving business to the next evolutionary level. Sweeping, brilliant, a sense of the grandeur of the new paradigm of business." Marcello Palazzi, Co-Founder and Chair of the Progessio Foundation in The Netherlands says that "Liberating the Corporate Soul achieves the impossible: it integrates the intangibles of ethics, vision, and consciousness into a tangible measurement system."

Barrett began his search for a mechanism that would align an organization's actions and decisions with individual and social values when he was employed at the World Bank. In the early 1990s, he set out on a personal mission to move values to the top of the bank's business agenda. Through a series of determined steps - including the formation of the "Spiritual Unfoldment Society" at the bank - he managed to fulfill his mission and simultaneously formulate his values-based organizational development system.

Today, Barrett is head of his own consulting firm, Richard Barrett and Associates, LLC, and he is using his values-based system in working with organizations throughout the world. He is quick to point out that all of the organizations with which he works have values. The question is whether those values resonate internally with employees searching for deeper meaning in their work lives, as well as externally with a society increasingly favoring businesses that exhibit advanced levels of social consciousness.

The book cites revealing data from several research studies to support Barrett's claim of shifting trends in employee and social attitudes. The Cone/Roper Marketing Trends Report shows that 76% of consumers in 1997 said they would switch to brands associated with a good cause if price and quality were equal. That figure is up from 66% in 1993. On the employee front, a study conducted by Students for Responsible Business with 2,100 students at 50 graduate business programs found that 50% said they would accept a lower salary to work for a "very socially responsible" company. Perhaps more revealing, 43% claimed they would not work for a company that was not socially responsible.

Data like that is not being lost on some of the country's leading business figures. In his book, Barrett quotes Levi Strauss CEO, Robert Haas, as stating "In the next century, a company will stand or fall on its values."

None of the enthusiasm for this growing trend is much of a surprise to Barrett. "People naturally feel better about themselves and their companies when they see a clear sense of values, vision and compassion driving management decisions and actions," he says. And there's good news in that for the people watching the bottom line, because those positive feelings will translate into greater loyalty, stronger performance, and higher profits. It's a win-win outcome all the way around."

Liberating the Corporate Soul is now on sale at major bookstores across the country.

"This book has been such a journey. I started out with two ideas. The first idea was that organizational transformation must look and feel a lot like personal transformation. The second idea was that the values held by successful companies must be similar to the values held by successful individuals. These two ideas led me on a journey of discovery that gladdened my heart...This book...provides a road map and tools for those who want to travel the same path" (from the Foreward).

In this context, Richard Barrett, in Chapter 11, shows a comprehensive framework for building a visionary organization. Here, he defines a visionary organization as a long-living, successful organization that cares about its employees, its customers, the local community, the environment, and a society at large. According to him, visionary organizations take social responsibility very seriously, and they display six important characteristics:

1. They have strong, positive, values-driven cultures.

2. They make a lasting commitment to learning and self-renewal.

3. They are continually adapting themselves based on feedback from internal and external environments.

4. They make strategic alliances with internal and external partners, customers, and suppliers.

5. They are willing to take risk and experiment.

6. They have a balanced values-based approach to measuring performance that includes such factors as corporate survival (financial results), corporate fitness (efficiency, productivity, and quality), collaboration with suppliers and customers, continuous learning and self-development (corporate evolution), organizational cohesion and employee fulfillment (corporate culture), and corporate contribution to the local community and society.

Hence, he develops a three-phase process for building a visionary organization: (1) preparation, (2) implementation, and (3) maintaining an evolutionary culture.

Finally, during the process of building a visionary organization, he writes that "the critical factors in successful transformations are (a) the management team's commitment to modeling the new values and behaviors; (b) integrating the new values into the structural incentives of the human resource processes of the organization; (c) building psychological ownership by involving employees in defining the missiom, vision, and values and the Balanced Needs Scorecard objectives and targets; (d) helping employees to think like owners; and (e) assigning responsibilities and developing structural mechanisms to support innovation, learning, and cultural renewal."

Highly recommended.

I own dozens of cookbooks but this is one I use consistently. In fact, I have two of them (from a time when we had a weekend house). I've made dozens of the recipes and have been pleased every single time. If you are looking for healthy, delicious meals that will gain you kudos from family and guests alike, this cookbook is for you.

I've tried many of the recipes in this book which have delighted my whole family, kids included. Each dish I've tried has been full of flavor. There are recipes here which are becoming regulars in my weekly reperetoire. I'm buying a copy today as a gift for my mother.

I've tried quite a few of the recipes in this cookbook and all of them have been easy and produced extremely satisfying results. This is definitely the best cookbook geared toward healthier eating that I've encountered.

I was looking for gifts for my sisters-in-law, and decided I had to have a copy of this for myself as well. I've tried several of the recipes, and so far have had great success. My husband is a fairly picky eater - if he doesn't like it, he will politely but firmly refuse to eat it. So far, he has asked for seconds on everything!

The only warning I would make is that for the uninitiated, there is a fair amount of prep work in many of the recipes. A lot of the recipes are based on fresh vegetables, and they need preparation (peeling and chopping). Once you get past that, though, the recipes go together quickly, with delicious results.

I was a little skeptical when I first picked this up, though admittedly for no good reason (maybe I'm a sucker for photos or general "hipness"--this book has neither). Some of the dishes I prepared because I had the ingredients already, but I had a feeling the recipes would be underseasoned or just not exciting. But no, everything was delicious, and my husband loved it as well.

It's also good for trying to wean yourself/family from meat-heavy dinners. We really enjoyed the beef and broccoli stir-fry, for example, which is lightened up simply with a higher proportion of vegetables. So too with the meat loaf.

I refuse to do "diet" cookbooks, so my other reference for lightening up my cooking is Sally Schneider's A New Way to Cook, which I also highly recommend. That book has the style, size (700+ pages), photographs, and glamour over this one, but Lighter,Quicker, Better is far more accessible in terms of ingredients and attitude, and I haven't been disappointed once.

Listening Leaders breaks new ground in terms of informing leaders and potential leaders on what it takes to become effective on a long-term basis. Written in extremely reader-friendly style and dripping with anecdotes and mini-case histories throughout its sparkling ten chapters, Listening Leaders offers 10 simple golden rules to listen, lead and succeed. As the author's state in the introduction, "Effective listening and effective leadership are inseparable."
Prior to this book, it is my understanding that no book on leadership devotes more than 2% to 4% of its verbiage on the important and crucial topic of listening. Yet, as the authors point out, "effective listening is imperative to anyone who desires to lead cohesive, productive, and significant teams and organizations." Towards that end, Listening Leaders becomes a must-read if you aspire to leadership in any capacity. If you work with others, and supervise, coach, manage, persuade, or otherwise influence those with whom you work, this book belongs on your shelf.

Successful leaders know that they in effect work for their subordinates. They organize, position, and service the needs of their staff to optimize production. Included in this behavior are listening skills that incorporate the very best of what is offered and monitors the overall pulse of the group. If you've ever worked for a boss who circulates edicts via interoffice memo and shuts the door, you quickly learn how not to manage a group. Listening Leaders discusses ten simple principles that every manager should but unfortunately does not know. Only the successful leaders do.

The authors have successfully established an integral relationship between effective listening and effective leadership. Insights, advice and strategies supplied by numerous contributors testify to a key premise of the book...Effective listening and effective leadership are inseparable. This complete and connected approach to Listening Leadership Development makes an excellent resource. It delivers what it promises........ Rules and tools for listening leaders:
to thrive on in their professional and personal lives, to develop other listening leaders and to build listening organizations

I am enjoying, "Listening Leaders". It is laid out like a well crafted sermon. The points are clear. The use of review is instructive. The illustrations are illuminating. This is not just a self-help book, it is a self-teaching book. For learning not to take place, the reader would purposely have to put a stop to it.

The belief that listening is a key ingredient to success as a leadership sits on the same pedestal as Motherhood, Apple Pie, and The Flag. However, just because we respect the importance of listening doesn't mean that we know what to do...or do it very well. Now we have a guidebook.

Steil and Bommelje are widely respected as experts in the fine skills of effective listening, so they are well-qualified to write this book. Their credentials are impeccable.

The book presents ten "golden rules" of listening leadership, organized as Preparation, Principles, and Practices...which lead to taking Meaningful Action. The authors nicely tie together good listening skills and leadership, showing how each skill contributes to and supports the other. Effective listening enables you to be a good leader, and effective leadership encompasses good listening.

Page after page is filled with teaching, practical advice, and examples of how real leaders use their listening skills to enhance their work. I was struck by the broad variety of leaders cited and with what they had to share through the authors. The wise range of people used as examples in the book serves to reinforce the universality of the principles. The way the teachings of the exemplary leaders are intertwined with the balance of the text enriches the readability of the book: it's almost storytelling-a highly readable novel or collection of vignettes.

Adding value to the book is a list of the cited leaders, providing each individual's title and organization and the chapter where the leader's advice or experience is shared. The book also provides a list of resources for further research and a helpful index. Summaries at the end of each chapter make it even easier to acquire the vast knowledge included in these pages.

Recommended for current-and future-leaders who seek to strengthen their listening skills and their leadership effectiveness.

I heart this book! It's not your regular Amercian Abe Lincoln Log Cabin type of book... lots of international examples and a great little history in the front. I reference often when scheming about my vacation home I'll someday have!

Received the book in the time limit specified. It arrived packaged well and in excellent condition as stated by the seller. I am very pleased with the book and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this seller to my friends, or to do business with them again in the future.

Radek Kurzaj's lovely color photos compliments the first chronological survey of log houses designed in Europe and the U.S. from 1890 to modern times, and covers a vast range of architectural designs and builder innovations in the process. Libraries strong in woodworking or homeowner's titles, especially general-interest public library collections, will find LOG HOUSES OF THE WORLD an eye-catching display title that fulfills its cover attraction and promise with equally compelling interior photos. But don't think it's just a picturebook coffee table addition: it's packed by Architectural Digest magazine editor Richard Olsen's commentary and history as well. The depth and coverage can't be beat.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I'm one of the architects whose work is published in this collection. At the risk of sounding preposterously self-serving, I wanted to chime in that I just received my copy of the book and I was very taken with it. It's a diverse collection of projects, nicely photographed, and in particular I found the writing to be refreshingly well done. The author captured the distinct elements of the built works and the narrative behind them very skillfully, and in my case, quite accurately. It's a great volume and I'm honored to be included in it.

Great insight into the world of the log house. This will shatter your preconceived concept of what a log cabin is, and show you what it can be. Very educational and beautifully photographed. A great addition to anyone's book collection who is interested in log cabins, architecture, or history.