Wagner Books

This book would benefit greatly from a rewrite. It is often difficult to follow the authors' logic. I get the impression that this book was rushed to print. A simple example of this is the fact that all the left-hand pages are incorrectly indented so that they run into the binding of the book. Please adjust your publishing software!

This book has helped me identify and made some performance improvements to my C# software code. One thing I like about this book, is that the author cuts right to the chase in his explanations and gives excellent supporting code samples in cases where needed.

Excellent book. My only complaint -- where's the new edition for the new version(s) of the framework?

While C# is pretty easy to get up to speed with coming from a C/C++ background, the similarities can lead to costly blunders! .Net/C# is a "real" language and as such deserves the respect of any self-proclaimed professional. This book is a great resource for getting that first glimpse to advanced topics that every pro should strive for. It's an easy read and the format (recipe) lends itself very well to quick reading sessions that stick in your mind. Your coding style will invariably change for the best upon closing this book. Simply stated this book should be mandatory reading for anyone joining a .Net project but coming from a traditional language (C/C++).

I agree with those who say that Effective C# is not for beginners. Even experienced programmers should go elsewhere for an introduction to the language and the .NET environment. While other books might serve as a comprehensive textbook for learning the rudiments, this one offers some in-depth insights into how to build solutions that are elegant, efficient, reliable, and maintainable.

I also agree with those who are disappointed in the poor editing. The book is riddled with typos, especially word spacing problems. Mostly, these are little more than a minor annoyance but they make the book a really poor example of publishing quality.

"Software engineering" has been described as finding the best solution for a given problem where "programming" is merely a matter of developing something that works. That's what this book is all about. Sure, there are going to be times when you don't need to build the kind of quality into your code that the author advocates. The need to get something done quickly will often outweigh issues like whether you're really getting optimal performance, whether accepted OO principles are always being followed, or whether your employing the best of all possible solutions. But this book is about how build "industrial strength" classes that can be reused without breaking or creating undue heartburn for the poor slobs who have to rely on them.

Like most programming books, lots of the information is conveyed in code examples. However, this is not the book you'll want if you're going to cut-and-paste somebody's sample program and hack it into your own working version. In fact, the code examples are so brief and simple that they often seem almost pointless at first glance. As you read the explanations, which are more punchy and to-the-point than they are eloquent, you begin to grasp the essence of the principle being explored. Personally, I feel there's room for improvement in Mr. Wagner's writing style, which can be a little too concise to be really illustrative, but he does get his message across.

Possibly the book's greatest strength lies in the rationale given for the recommendations offered, as opposed to the recommendations themselves. The fifty items are more than a series of "best practices" to be blindly followed whether you understand them or not. Good programming is often a matter of choosing from a set of alternatives by weighing the value of each approach, assessing trade-offs, and making intelligent decisions. That's where this book can really help.

Evidently, this book carries on a tradition of "Effective" books in that it consists of a series of relatively short articles, each of which illustrates some very focused aspect of how C# code is compiled, the nature of certain .NET Framework types, and/or how the CLR operates. I, for one, think a more conventional format, where the content is broken down into longer chapters that go into major concept areas in depth might have been a better way for Mr. Wagner to share his obviously thorough knowledge of the subject. At first glance, this book gives the impression of being a set of little hints and tricks, as opposed to the serious technical book it really is.

If you have read much "true crime" genre you know it can either be hit or America's Most Unsolved Mystery baloney. This book is the real deal. Very entertaining. Ever wonder what it's like in the seamy, sordid, underworld of the Big Apple? Here it is. Written with a real streetsmart, no BS, East Coast flair. Laugh out load funny too. I read 2-3 books a week and have never posted a review. How's that for a recommendation.

Wags is character alright and fundamentally decent, if a bit flawed, man. His story reads like a novel or comedic film. I'm not quite sure where the truth was stretched, but his honest delivery is well worth the (very fast) read. He tells some wild stories--some are hilarious--some violent--some just out there (the one handed, parrot carrying, heiress). But, the tone works and the the world of the PI is exposed as it never was on Magnum PI.

Well, maybe a direct comparison to The Shield is a bit of a stretch, but the stories discussed within these pages about life and career of James Wagner (former NYPD) walks a fine line between legal and questionable.

In this autobiographical look at his 'capers' post NYPD, you will be amazed that you keep turning the pages for his next installment. Mr. Wagner's (Wags) accounts are gripping, and his stories are arranged and written in a clean 'street-smart' way, that is very entertaining and right to the meat.

He tells stories of being a hired body-guard for some middle-eastern princes visiting this country and looks the other way when they start using hard drugs. He goes out to 'collect' money for various employers whose names you won't find on any Fortune 500 list. In one story he finds himself looking for a kidnapped boy in the back streets of Turkey (blackmail and payoffs are common), another 'escorting' a middle-aged drunken heiress with a prosthetic hand and a parrot. There are other accounts that are just as amazing, sometimes very funny, other times down right scary.

Throughout all his ordeals, one this is evident; he loves his family and would do anything for them, and proves it within the pages of this book.

However, though being such a likeable character, the reader will soon discover that this former NYPD agent spends many of later days living in the gray areas of the law, and sometimes may have stepped over it putting his life and others in danger for cash.

Mr. Wagner also has some very funny one-liners and metaphors that I will probably use as my own, they're that clever.

The reason I gave this 4.5 stars instead of a solid 5 is I had to wonder if all these stories were actually 100% true. They sure sound like it, but with Wags seeing all this action, maybe some of them were slightly embellished? I hope not and I'll give him the benefit of any doubt. A little short, I would have liked a few more stories, but I was happy none the less.

A quick, entertaining memoir of Jimmy Wagner's short and adreneline soaked career as a New York PI. Famous people, good and bad, populate this fast paced tale.

This New York ex-cop entertains us with tales of his career as a private investigator, which he defines unusually broadly, to include such jobs as bodyguard, collection agent, mafia go-fer, and manager of a topless bar. There are some great stories here, and the book is hard to put down.

However, I was very disturbed by the contrast between the author's claims to wanting to do the right thing and the fact that he was doing some very illegal things, which he obviously had no trouble rationalizing to himself. The most extreme example is when he works as a "collection agent," extorting money from businesses for the mafia. Wagner is genuinely shocked - shocked! - that some trigger-happy prosecutor might want to put him in jail for this! After all, Wagner tried to make sure he wasn't in the room when actual violence occurred, although there were exceptions, and anyway, these were massage parlours and unlicensed bars - so obviously he wasn't doing anything wrong?! It's astonishing how such an intelligent and articulate man could have so completely lost his moral compass without realizing it. Even when Wagner acknowledges he had slid down the slippery slope of wrongdoing, one gets the impression his regrets are more pragmatic, rather than ethical, in nature.

Basic principles, we easily overlook.
Helped me change the approach I use to involve staff in decision making.
Sensible information that can be applied to any level of leadership or management in any setting.
My coworkers have appreciated the change.

Nutshell review - An average follow on book to First, Break All the Rules. Really nothing that new or revolutionary not already covered or implied in the original work.

This book, based on the extensive research and data collected by Gallup, gives a great help for managing an operation or a team. Currently I am engaged in a hotel takeover and we will be conducting the Gallup review in a few weeks. This book helps to focus on the important factors while giving hints and examples of how to improve productivity, employee and guest satisfaction and how to create a work environment pleasant for all parties. It is structered well and easy and fst to read. Is a must for everyone in a leading position.

There are a few good books on supervision, and a lot of impractical but "brilliant" books on "leadership" but this is the first that I've read that I could really apply to my job. I wish the three crushing layers of bureacracy above me would read this book too. I like the empirical data and real names. That gives this book much more credibility than the average management book for me. It's also a good way to do a self-report card in my relationship with each employee. Some of them are demanding and now I think "what does she really need to do the job, and am I providing it" instead of just responding to complaints without any analysis of the underlying situation. Bottom-level / front-line staff can be very good at manipulating managers or conversely very good at making a manager so defensive that we can't reply to them. With this book in my toolkit, I can stay above the emotions of the workplace and either fix what needs to be fixed or send the employee to EAP.

My other two favorite books are Making Work Work by Morgenstern and Healing the Downsized Organization. They are also very practical.

Overall this is a great book. It's packed with good information, backed with solid research, great statistics, real examples and well written. Normally I'd give it a 5 star rating. When compared against other books in its genre, it's a great book and deserves your attention.

However, I found much of this book a rehash of the material in "First, Break All the Rules". The ideas are important enough that I went ahead and forced my way through the book. However I was definitely disappointed that the "Long-Awaited Follow-Up" as the cover advertises didn't really contain anything dramatically new that was not already covered in "First, Break All the Rules".

Don't let the jacket copy and chapter titles tempt you. Leading Up by Lilya Wagner raises a myriad of questions, but supplies no concrete advice or examples on how mid-level fundraisers may implement leadership. Wagner says the same things over and over largely by quoting other sources. The result is a confusing array of leadership definitions, characteristics, and skills, but zero inspiration and ample frustration.

The middle of the book, which promises a new model for leadership, instead gives such elementary information as descriptions of tasks fundraisers must accomplish and titles fundraisers may have. Wagner cites no case studies with answers or examples from fundraisers successfully leading those in higher positions or on their boards. The only transformation this book will produce is in your wallet. If you are a college sophomore majoring in fundraising, this book may be required reading. I'll give you my copy.

Dr. Wagner's book is a great personal resource for every fund-raising professional--particularly for those new to the field. The author takes one through a self-exploration process and includes the insights and views of other professionals. At the end of each chapter is a series of questions that allows one to reflect on the issues raised in the chapter, in addition to some case histories to consider plus tips on developing your skills.

Dr. Wagner's extensive experience in fund raising and her teaching ability is evident by the way she has laid out each chapter that builds on a sound foundation. From one who has been in fund raising, this is a useful tool that would help any fund raising professional take the next steps for developing their leadership potential and skills.

Leadership is a funny thing...many of us have had those jobs that we dread going into each day. It is usually the dynamics that are generated from the top-down that create the environment that destroys our spirit and willingness to strive harder for the good of the organization. When we move on we often take the very ideas and energy that could have made that organization more successful, but our contribution was not wanted, much less solicited, often due to poor leadership styles.

Folks often say, "[y]ou won't get rich working in non-profits", but to some of us that is not why we are there. The richness we seek is registered in many different ways, it could be our excitement at goals reached, often times as a team, or other intangibles that keep up going and the job worthwhile. The very nature of many nonprofits is people helping each other in accomplishing something that they share a belief or stake in.

No one author can address all the unique situations that leaders (directors, managers, bosses, etc.) encounter. When an author can introduce and expand on an idea that works towards teaching leadership that helps fulfill the need of the organization and the individual then it is going to be of interest to many of us who believe in that "team" approach. Working relationships becomes symbiotic, and contributing staff help move the success forward to completion of a goal.

There are too many well-educated and intelligent people out there that aren't given an opportunity to assist their organization in growth, often because of the style of leadership of the ranking individual who may be called a number of titles that fall under the idea of leading.

In this instructive little manual we have a workbook, we have examples, we have ideas and a great bibliography for further reading. I found Dr. Wagner's book a very worthwhile read. If you want some help in learning how to make your ideas heard and count, then I suggest you read this book.

Strong leadership is the key to the success of any organization and Dr. Wagner provides her readers with thought provoking material that serves as a guide to determine what your best leadership practice are and how to apply them to the fundraising profession. The author brings the reader full circle - from presenting the concept of leading up, or leading from any level, to how to use these principles on a daily basis. I found this both extremely helpful and motivational. It is a "must have" for every professional fundraiser!

Dr. Wagner's book on leading up should be read by all fund raisers and nonprofit managers alike. Working from the middle as a fund raiser is common but our work is usually of the highest importance. The work will help you learn how to balance it all.

Written by a past winner of the Skystone Ryan Prize for research on fundraising and philanthropy, and one of today's leading fund raising practitioners, the book is a valued part of my personal library.

Ms. Wagner does an excellent job on helping the reader understand how fundraising fits into the world today, including concrete suggestions on how to be the best professional. By enlisting other experts in the field, Ms. Wager taps into a wealth of information that expands her own understanding and expertise. I first purchased this book as someone who was in the middle of a career change. I was able to use the information in this book to help identify the direction I wanted to take. As I am now looking into the next phase of my career, I am using tapping into the information in this book to help as I plan my next steps.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone either entering into, or already in, the fundraising profession.

Dr. Wagner first begins by providing the reader with an understanding of how fundraising fits into today's world and then she transitions into suggestions on how to be the best all-around professional in your field. Over time the material in this book will continue to be helpful and can serve the interest of people at all levels of fundraising, as well as professional outside the field. This is an inspirational book that is extremely thought provoking and no professional should go without reading!

This is my favorite book to give to new fund raisers or people considering fund raising as a career.

Dr. Wagner's book is insightful. From understanding the history of fund raising and philanthropy to finding the right job, this book examines the major topics one should consider when considering a career in fund raising.

The book won the Skystone Ryan Prize for research on fundraising and philanthropy for good reason.

One thought that struck me as I read this book is that I wish it had been available when I made a career switch several years ago. I recommend it to individuals who engage me for career networking interviews. It also provides a good uplift to professionals already in the field - the numerous resources are worth the price of the book alone! The book is very readable and full of wonderful advice and wisdom - a trademark of the author.

This book reminds us that philanthropy is noble, and that a career in fundraising is a challenging but worthy professional path. The book offers very practical approaches to fundraising, and to coping with the stresses and triumphs of the profession. It's a practical handbook for every professional who seeks success in fundraising.
-Adam G. Martinez

This book is a well-written exposition about becoming a millionaire. The central theme of the book is simple: put a fixed amount of money each month into an S&P index fund--if you can have the money automatically deducted from your checking account, so much the better. The reason why Millionaire does not get five stars is because the system is not sure-fire. Although the authors cite the United State's upward productivity and stock market, you can't drive a car by looking in the rear-view mirror. What if you lived in Japan (where the Nikkei average has crept lower for the past twenty years) and followed this advice?

This is a short and simple guide to investing. It's easy to read, easy to understand and provides a straightforward plan for accruing wealth.

What a wonderfully written book on how to succeed in accumulating wealth. Extremely well written. Sound advice. Excellent ideas that make perfect sense. My only regret is that this book wasn't written 30 years ago! Should be read by everyone from 25-to-60 who hasn't given serious thought to investing for retirement or for their future. My compliments to the authors.

Was there an editor's strike in New York and nobody told us? If you're one of those people who finds the "Dummies" series of books too complex and technical, then this is the tome for you! 160 pages of homespun homily about the authors, their family and friends, lots (WAY lots!) of success/failure stories. I was midway through this (thankfully) short book before the authors approached anything of substance as far as how to set out a savings plan. But then, there's nothing here you've not read before (save money, do it now, don't give up.) Venita VanCaspel did a much better job of making invesment planning more user-friendly than this facile, rambling collection of stories of the writers' buds. Instead of an investment guide, this reads more like a gift book from a shopping mall card store. What would have made this a GREAT book? As Sargeant Joe Friday was so fond of saying: "Just the facts, ma'am." But then it would have been a "pamphlet" rather than a "book."

In some ways, it is unfortunate that a book like Millionaire is necessary. However, the personal savings rate in this country is so low (at some times even negative) that in aggregate our country faces a staggering financial crisis as the aging population nears retirement. Complex investment strategies are not what most people need. It's a simple, low-cost, sound, systematic, long-term plan for dealing with the high cost of retirement. This is what Millionaire is all about.

If you want a short but complete introduction to Wagner's Ring , this book is a good choice. There's also a list of recordings recommended by the author ( which includes the "must have" versions of the Ring available today ) .

In this slender volume, Fr. Lee not only provides a neat summary of Wagner's epic, but an ample and insightful look at the political and philophical underpinnings of the opera's genesis. His discussion of Schopenhauer's influence, albeit a surface treatment, never overwhelms the reader. Nor does the discussion of the leitmotives bog the reader down and detract from a lively and personal narrative. Highly recommended.

I found Father Owen Lee's interpretation of Wagner's Ring concise, beautifully written and coherent. I was utterly mesmerized and could not put the book down until I had read it.

Father Lee's book is essentially a fleshing out of some radio commentary given on the Ring cycle. While it is a short book and a quick read, it is insightful, deep, and well worth study and discussion.

There is no single 'correct' way to interpret Wagner's giant gesamtkunstwerk, one reason why so many books of interpretations and analysis of the pieces struggle for shelf space. This one makes a worthy addition to the pile.

Readers new to the Ring will find the synopsis and discussion of each opera informative and most valuable in getting them started to a basic understanding. Those more familiar with the Ring should find much to think about and compare with their own or other interpretations.

Supplemental to the text are suggested recordings, short reviews of additional books worth investigating, and a brief list of some of Wagner's more well-known musical motifs. There are more complete such lists and references available, but again for the novice these will all be of great help.

I found Lee's book informative, fascinating, and useful.

This little book is an excellent introduction for folks like myself who have tried for years to make sense of the cycle. The narration gives a plot synopsis followed by the author's view of the meaning behind the drama. I have always been fascinated by Wagner's Ring Cycle though I do not know German. I have been very intrigued by the music. Well this book gave me a tiny little bit to get me going.

Much of Father Owens' analysis may not meet with everyone's interpretation of the cycle but it does make one think.

There is a section at the end that contains written music. My knowledge of reading music is very scant so I just ignored that section. It is not germane to the narrative because one can get these examples by listening to the work. For good examples get An Introduction To Wagner's Der Ring Des Nebulungen by Deryck Cooke on CD. Mr. Cooke's CD gives audio examples that one can appreciate without knowing how to read music.

Everyone should read Jane Kirkpatrick's novels! She has a brilliant, poetic way with words that makes every page a treat. Her characters are heart-warming and real. I was rooting for plucky Emma all the way. The romance was subtle and rewarding, not mushy! The history and setting were so real, I fell into her story in an instant. Wonderful!

I have ready many of Jane Kirkpatrick's books, including this book and the remaining two in the series, and all I can say is that she is amazing. Quiet, reflexive, poignant, insightful, chilling. Her historical research is comprehensive; her storytelling abilities unsurpassed. Share the books with your children -- they are always wholesome and a rarity among the "trash" that we call literature. I wait impatiently for her next book. I will continue to read anything she writes.

I always enjoy something based on western history. It was well written and a character I could identify with. I bought the sequel and preordered the next book in the series.

I'm exited about the new Change and Cherish Historical Series by Jane Kirkpatrick. When I start reading her books, I can't put them down. I love the history, geography and emotions envolved. I'm always reminded of the strength of women. I'm so eager to read the second book.

The first book, A Clearing in the Wild, starts off with teenaged Emma Wagner, who lives in a religious communal community in Bethel, Missouri under the leadership of Wilhelm Keil. Emma has set her sights on Christian Giesy, a leader in the community who has devoted his entire life to serving Father Keil. Keil is sending a group of scouts out to Washington Territory to find land for the entire commune to move to. The railroad and other outside influences are coming too close to his people, and he's worried about their safety. Headstrong Emma manages to first marry Christian and then finagle her way as the only female member of the scouting team, conveniently forgetting to mention that she's pregnant. The group of nine men, plus Emma travel across the West encountering Indians, the Rockies, and inclement weather, all in a quest to find a new home for Father Keil. By the time they arrive in northern Washington, Emma has baby Andy and a goat named Opal. The scouts try to start building homes and planting crops in the completely unfamiliar territory. Christian is the leader, but Emma regularly butts heads with him trying to do things her way. I fell in love with the character of Emma. She's stubborn, driven, and always certain that she's right. Sounds like someone my family knows very well. Emma tends to rely on herself more than Christian or even God, despite her deep faith. Based on the real life Emma Giesy, this book is an amazing story of courage and perserverance.

It is sad when you have to go to such lengths to get your point accross. I guess we are all truly BLESSED to have FREEDOM OF CHOICE. I too agree with many many areas of this book. But I know something greater than you and me is out in this wide wonderful universe. The RELIGION part I totally agree with because every ounce of RELIGION is man MADE. I hope when you read this book that you as I know that "the higher power" lives within each of us. And that FREE WILL is an amazing thing!


Debbie in Indiana

Dr. Henderson has an informal conversation with the reader which boils down to "the sky is blue, the grass is green, and you know it is, so please stop pretending it ain't so!"
I personally didn't disagree with a single point he made in the book.
The fact that what he is saying even 'needs" to be said in the 21rst Century is proof of the "mind control" abilities of the Religious organizations of the World.
Joining "any" Group can be a "slippery slope".
All "groups" demand "some" degree of sacrifice of an individual's personal freedom of thought and action but they "reward" with a lessening of personal responsibility, and often so slowly that the individual is unaware of what has been lost while enjoying what has been gained.
Taken to an extreme,this process can logically produce "extreme" loss of personal freedom and "extremely" irresponsible behavior, as the Jonestown Massacre sadly demonstrated.
I hope that our present state of "Groupthink" doesn't necessarily have to get much worse before it gets better.

John Henderson argues for what is basically a new religion based on morality rather than pretended revelation from a less-than-admirable deity. He recognizes that, "religion, as it is practised today, does more harm than good." Most of the book is devoted to proving that assertion, and he does so very effectively.
God.com expresses the personal philosophy of an author who, while not a biblical scholar, is sufficiently observant to recognize that no adult in the Western world can go twenty-four hours without encountering at least a dozen situations that could not exist if observable reality was the creation of an omnipotent, omnibenevolent god. While this book is not for scholars, it is bound to be useful to persons who recognize religion's absurdities and want reassurance that their ability to look at fashionable security beliefs and imaginary playmates in the sky with their brains in ON is not an aberration.

This book expresses many of the thoughts of the "silent minority". The presentation of religious beliefs/analyses in a straight forward manner sprinkled with humor provided many thought provoking situations.

Whatever your religion - or lack of religion - this is a book that will make you re-think all the religous dogma you've learned from any upbringing or current belief.
The focus of the book is that all organized religions, without exception over centuries, have had many social and politcal agendas - surprisingly enough, common sense morality has never been on the top of the list. For the most part, good words have been followed by bad deeds. For this reason, many of our greatest leaders historicaly have not been proponents of organized religion. They may well have believed in God, but only through their own wisdom, saw through the flaws of organized religion.
God.Com makes you think about this - especially in the context of the current religious turmoil between East and West. Even if you're not "religious", lot's of people are and you need to be aware of the consequences!

I read "I'll Let You Go" four years ago and it still haunts me.

Two thirds of this book are awesome. The story is epic, and the writing is sharp, sharp, sharp. Wagner builds a great network of fanciful characters that are connected in perhaps a few too many ways for realism, and he somehow tethers this impossibly colorful structure to reality nonetheless, with an amazing glue of sparkling wit and painful grit. For a few hundred pages it's captivating, and then the unlikely interconnections amongst the characters become so numerous that even the very real pains they endure, as well as the pleasures Wagner's writing gave to this reader at least, are not enough to keep the whole tangle from collapsing into itself and rolling out into space. It's a shame I can't just recommend the first part of the book--the last portion really soured it for me, but a story needs an ending. Still, if you do read this, you'll probably come out ahead.

i haven't read the book yet, but am purchasing a copy. i can say, having someone in my family who has apert syndrome, i find offensive the description of an apert person. however, i will give the book a chance. i just wanted to let everyone out there know that if they would like to learn more about apert syndrome they can feel free to visit www.apert.org . there are lots of pictures and descriptions of different surgeries. i just have to wonder what connection to apert syndrome the author has, considering the rarity of it. i hope everyone takes a look so they might better understand before they judge.
jenni

First, let me say that this book can be read for the story, for that story is just short of fanciful and truly beyond interesting. But slow down; take in the language, the crafted sentences, and the wonderful puns. Take this book lightheartedly, please. I think that is what we are meant to do--Wagner tells us of much death and misfortune but his comical tone suggests that this is not meant to be a book to cry over. So, don't be pretentious and write this novel off because you wanted it to be serious or because you don't understand the puns. This is simply a wonderful satire of all socio-economic levels.

Mr. Wagner writes like the most clever boy in the Beverly Hills High School english class. He is obsessed with superficiality, has nothing to say, and is too pretentious to even be fun. Strictly "amateur hour."