Way Books

This is one of the easiest reads and greatest books I'v read on wellness, nutrition and fitness. The book is inspiring, motivating, educational and full of easy to use ideas and tips. A must read for any one at any level of fitness.

Everyday I read this book, I am amazed by the wisdom that this book offers. It covers many diverse aspect of exercise in easy to digest pages and each one is inspiring and sure to change my behaviour for the better. I wish I had this book long ago but I'm very glad to have it now.

Because of its small and usual (wide vs. long) size, it is very handy as a quick reference. Over a year later, I still refer to it daily, buy it as a gift for others embarking on the road ot fitness and look forward to his next book.

I am a fan of Eric Harr's work. I've read his columns in Shape magazine and have enjoyed his other titles very much. I am dismayed at the review written by "Barbara Jordan "brownsugar76" who is obviously misguided and pessimistic. This book is a tips book -- 100 in all -- that give people basic guidance about exercise and living better. It never promises to be a thick, boring, scientific guide ... and THAT'S the appeal. There are hundreds of fitness books out there. Harr tries to deliver fitness wisdom in 100 simple tips. Granted some of them are a little "soft" for fitness buffs -- but most are very valuable.

I'm giving this book 4 stars, because it is GREAT for many people getting into fitness, but it's not geared towards more serious fitness people (who work out, say 5+ times a week).

Barbara Jordan "brownsugar76" doesn't see the book for its incredible value...which is a hearty book in easily-digestible "one-a-day" tips for people seeking to get fit and live and eat better.

As to her comment about the reviews of others, it appears Barbara Jordan "brownsugar76" is jealous of Eric Harr's success. I checked these people's reviews -- and they're REAL people with real opinions.

Be wary of green-with-ency reviewers like Barbara Jordan "brownsugar76." This is a great book. Decide for yourself.

Finally, fitness advice that will get you off your couch and onto the track / bike / into the pool / or whatever else you do. I just bought the book about a week ago, returned home, and read it cover to cover in an hour. One hundred simple and truly life-altering strategies are contained within that have gotten even my lazy self up and moving. Over the past two days, following the book's advice on everything from nutrition, to technique and motivation, I've run ten miles (and feel great!), and I don't plan on stopping any time soon :). From his writing, the author is a truly fit individual, both mentally and physically, and his personal perspectives on the wonders of a clear mind and a healthy body are refreshing every time I open the conveniently-pocket-sized book. Humorous, compelling and without pretense, Harr's guide can pull out the passion and performance in anyone (and I mean anyone) and set them on the path to a healthier and happier self.

This book demystifies many weight loss, nutrition and exercise issues in a clear, friendly, expert way. It helps to answer why we're getting fatter in America. I read this wonderful book in eight hours--but don't let that fool you; it's packed with good information and moving inspiration. Every word matters. When I started showing results, my friends and family wanted to know the secret. At least 3 of them bought the book for themselves. Eric Harr's advice and motivation really works. Big! How do I know? Because I'm significantly SMALLER! Yahoo!!! :)

This book is a must for anyone in advertising or sales. The simplest of changes to what you are doing may make all the difference. Get the book and find out what it takes to make the sale or bring someone over to your thinking.

I have long used Dr. Cialdini's principles in my university lectures on persuasion, so I anticipated the release of this book with enthusiasm. I am not at all disappointed. Each chapter contains a proven principle, a specific research anecdote, then suggestions for using the principle in an applied setting. (mostly business settings, but there were even some parenting suggestions here!) I highly recommend the book, and I'm already planning some creative lecture additions based on the material.
Suzanne Stromberg, Denver, Colorado

As a corporate director of human resources, the bulk of my day-to-day existence is convincing people - whether subordinate or superior - to do what I believe is best for the organization. I have just finished the new book, "Yes!" Three things in this great book stand out for me.

1. Real world case studies in the actual business arenas.
2. Contains a wealth of techniques that are easily implemented.
3. An easy and fun-filled read. Truly well-written.

I find the new book highly useful and a must-read for everyone that must persuade others in order to survive in the corporate jungle. I highly recommend it to all managers of all stripes.

Michael L. Gooch, SPHR Author of Wingtips with Spurs

This is one of the most useful books I've read in a long time. Short, to the point, easy to digest.

Too often, many writers in order to fill the book with pages, ramble on and on with no purpose. Even worse, many of these books do not provide any realistic advice.

This book provides practical guidance on being persuassive. Not only that, it's very easy to learn and absorb. I've immediately put what I read into real life practice. Simply AMAZING!

If you haven't read "Influence" by Robert Cialdini then I would strongly recommend skipping this one for now and starting with that one. Cialdini's original book was one of the best psychology books I have ever read. This one is more like a sequel and like most sequels, it is not as good. In Cialdini's "Influence", he talks about 6 weapons of influence:

1) Reciprocity
2) Liking
3) Social Proof
4) Authority
5) Scarcity
6) Commitment and Consistency

This book consists of 50 short chapters where these weapons are at work. Very entertaining and insightful, but I felt that the authors violated some of their own advice by having so many chapters and not organizing them in any particular way. For example, the chapters each demonstrated one of the weapons of influence at work and perhaps the book should have been organized more formally into 6 parts with each part representing one of the weapons. I was very entertained but I am not sure if the book will have any long lasting educational value unlike "Influence".

This is a quick read and I highly recommend it AFTER you have read Cialdini's "Influence".

As a Marine veteran, this book gave alot of good ideas. The authors tell you different aspect of how the Marine Corps is ran and they explain why the Marines do this and how to implement it into the business world.

It's a good book. There are a lot of leadership techniques in here that can be applied. There is also a lot of information about the Marines, which is interesting. For a leadership book, I could have used less information about the Marines and more about leadership in business, but it's good for what it is.
One thing, the chapter on women dealt with sexual harrassment, mostly. I think that with everything women deal with (lower pay, glass ceiling, family life, etc) there could have been more info on women and less on sexual harrassment. That could have been a seperate chapter.

Semper Fi does a good job of relating the organizational and cultural strengths of the Marine Corps to successful essentials for corporate America. The beginning of the book emphasizes the importance of recruiting and maintaining the enthusiasm and energy or new hires. The book keeps it focus on sharing the attributes of the Marine Corps' organizational attributes contributing to its success rather than organizing around what corporate America needs and how the Marine Corps has solved those problems. Strongly recommended for HR professionals and managers leading large organizations. Always a good book for former Marines although some may remember a few details of Marine life differently.

Want to develop sound leadership and solid loyalty? This book clears up many of the misconceptions of USMC training and brings the same form of positive supportive leadership into the civilian and business world. Leadership is more than just telling people what to do. Leadership is established by being in the front lines with all your "troops". It's you're willingness to get your shoes just as dirty as anyone else's while providing an example of being out in front and at the same time making sure that everyone is up there with you. You, the leader, are the example! It is extremely well-written and should be in any top sensei's [martial arts instructor's] book collection. Dan Carrison is one of my Black Belts. I recommend this book to all my black belts!

In case you want to know how this 175,000 strong force is led/managed to live up to the "Send the Marines" legend, you will be largely satisfied. Many unique features, including the Buddy System (two friends get recruited, trained, and deployed together), Tour of Duty (a Marine can opt to remain or transfer several times during the enlistment period of four years), the strong emphasis on quality HR and recruiters, the "Crucible" (the 54 sleepless hours of hellish training with only one meal), the need for an officer/NCO to be better in all aspects (esp physically) than his fellow men till his retirement and so on are vividly discussed. However, I am obliged to comment that the successful principles of USMC are not readily applicable to the commercial world, primarily because, as per pg 123, "Unlike the Marine Corps, the workplace environment is not one of self sacrifice. Employees are motivated much more by self interest than by the collective good and are not shy about asking, "Why did he or she get this assignment and not me?" Anyway, this is definitely a good read. Highly recommended!

Below please find my most favorite passages for your reference:-

One of the legends every NCO has heard tells of a young officer who did not return an enlisted man's salute - and was subsequently ordered by the renowned Marine general Chesty Puller to stand there and salute the nervous private one hundred times. pg 66

The "monkey experiment" is a classic laboratory experiment that illustrates exactly what the Marines try to avoid - the thoughtless passing from one group to another of a learned tradition. Six monkeys were put into a cage in which bananas were suspended by chains...when a monkey pulled on the bananas, the entire group received a shower of cold water. It didnt take long for the six monkeys to learn that the bananas were to be left alone. A new monkey was then introduced into the group, while one of the original monkeys were removed. Of course, the newcomer saw the bananas and thought it was in monkey paradise. But, as it climbed upward, the five remaining original monkeys would actually prevent it from reaching the bananas.....Other newcomers were introduced, for each one, a monkey from the original group was removed.....Soon, none of the original group was left in the cage, yet the bananas were undisturbed - by monkeys who had never felt the cold shower themselves and who did not know why the bananas were to be left alone. pg 115

Today, teams of recruits clash in the pugil stick circle so that one learns not to just fight for himself but for his buddy as well. If his buddies are "killed", the remaining recruit must defend himself against multiple attackers, who close in intelligently, as a team. Thus teamwork is taught while defending and attacking. pg 130

If a manager has not called his own customer service desk in a week, then he has no idea how many times the phone will ring before it is answered, how politely the customer will be greeted, how willingly that customer will be helped and then thanked. pg 171

p.s. Semper Fidelis (Always Faihtful), the motto of USMC, is an indication of how much value is placed upon the virtue of loyalty.

The story, the pictures, the illustrations and the good information all made me a lot better goose hunter.

This book is full of things that you should know and things that I did not know. I am glad I purchased this book from Amazon.

I liked the chapter on concealment. There was a lot of good information in that chapter.

It was the best waterfowl book that I have ever read. I will recommend it.

This is the worst book on hunting I've ever read. The author has no love of geese, to which he constantly refers as "those damn geese." Nor does he seem to appreciate the hunt. His only interest is in "killing those damn geese." To the author, the only reason for hunting is killing. The only reason for geese is to kill them.

The author goes into some detail about techniques, including decoying and concealment, and this may be helpful to beginners. However, anyone with interest in learning how to hunt should read any number of books written by people who are hunters, not killers.

This book is very reminiscent of "Praise Habit" written by musician David Crowder, where Crowder uses very cleverly the double meaning of the outward expression of Giving GOD Praise in every possible way, and the use of the word "Habit" as the hat worn by saintly women. "Worship as a way of Life" is done here much in the same fashion. Some interesting encouragements given and some "Worship" clarifications which make this an overall pleasant & instructional worth-while book to read.

Louie Giglio's book brings home the biblical concept that the life of a New Testament Christian is to be an ongoing act of worship, not simply the singing of a song and a prayer on Sunday morning. Giglio develops the point well, building the case that everyone worships something...the question is, what do you worship? God? God's blessings? Or Yourself?

Highly recommended to anyone trying to understand what worship is.

This is great little book that helps us dive deeper into what worship actually means. It's amazing to see Giglio show that we're all worshipers of something or someone...even if we don't realize it. When we direct our worship to God (our ascribing worth to God in everything we do), He gets more glory and we are joyfully satisfied in Him (Piper anybody?).

I highly recommend this book. I'm reading through it with a college worship leader training group that I lead. It's short and easy to read, making it a joy to read instead of feeling like homework from church (alongside their already heavy workload in school!). While it may be written in an easy-to-read style, the concepts held within will challenge your everyday life immensely. Worship Him with all your life!

Louie Giglio's book, The Air I Breathe, describes worship as a part of everyday life. We worship the things we value and get excited about. The god that we worship is evident from how we spend our time and money. At the end of every trail blazed by our time and money is a throne and on that throne is the "god" we worship. But, is the god we worship worthy of our praise? This is the primary question that Giglio raises.

I was drawn to Giglio's book the moment that I learned that he organized the Passion conference--an annual conference of Christian musicians. This conference has generated numerous CDs of praise music. The Best of Passion CD is one of my favorites.

The text for Giglio's books is Acts 17--Paul's visit to Mars hill. It is one the Bible's clearest statement of faith and the audience is a gathering of Greek intellectuals--agnostics. Paul notices that they have a statute where they worship an "unknown god". He then explains Christ as that unknown god.

Giglio's book is addressed to moderns and post-moderns who do not believe in God and do not think that they need God. It is short and very readable.

I found The Air I Breathe an inspiration. My have already lent my copy to a friend and have begun giving copies to people that I care about. I suspect that this book has brought people, especially teens, to faith in Christ. I highly recommend it.

Stephen

After hearing Louie Giglio speak recently, I was interested to see what he had to write about worship. This little book is quite simple, but Louie's insights into what true worship is all about are quite profound. One could read this entire book in one sitting, but I found that I had to keep putting it down so that I could think about the content. Louie's definition of worship is probably the best I've ever seen.

Our entire worship team is going to read the book together as a guide to help us become better "lead worshipers".

I haven't actually read this book in many years but it was a favorite of mine as a child. I remember my mother reading it to me night after night after night and then taking a trip into Boston to see all of the places mentioned. It's a great story and the illustrations are beautiful. I now use it as a gift for new moms to read to their children.

Prior to a planned trip to Boston, I purchased Make Way For Ducklings for my grandchildren who were three and a half and five and a half at the time. Their mom was running in the Boston Marathan. Knowing that we would be taking them to the Public Gardens and they would see the "ducklings"..this was a perfect history lesson written so well for little ones and adults to learn...Highly recommended

This book is simply sublime. I had it as a child, got it for my own children over 25 years ago, and now am buying a copy for my new grandson. Everything about this book is wonderful!

This classic picture book details the lives of the Mallard family in the Public Garden of Boston. This is an excellent read for kids of all ages, and is a good introduction to Caledecott books.

Mr. and Mrs. Mallard explore all the nooks and crannies of Boston and the Back Bay, before settling on the perfect place to raise their family. A true love letter to the Boston of 60 years ago (complete with Irish cops!), it is a classic that speaks to people from everywhere, and families worldwide, on the love and nurturing that parents show for their children.

Great book for getting tips to help you toddler sleep plus other helpful tips about potty training and so forth. I would suggest getting the first book "The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Infants" before reading this book.

Thank goodness that a real life mom, who has a tremendous educational background finally wrote a book that a mom of 2 children under the age of 2 can relate too. With both of my children they were sleeping through the night by 7 weeks and we only deal with a few night wakenings a week. One piece of advice, some toddlers do remember everyday what the sleep fairy brings them. But if this is the hardest issue that we have to deal with during our sleep then I think we are doing great. Thank you Mrs. Pantley for realizing that you had such valuable insight as a mother to clearly and consising put into words how to help our children sleep. BZ of AL a mom of 2 precious sleeping angels. Thanks for your help!

I cannot give this book a high enough review. If you want a gentle (albeit slow and steady) approach to encouraging your child to sleep through the night this is the book for you. Many of the ideas Elizabeth Pantley describes in the book I have implemented for my 18 month old daughter and they have all worked beautifully. She was a nighttime nurser and cosleeper. She still sleeps in my bed but we no longer nurse at night. I am getting the sleep I need and it was done without any tears! I love the author's gentle philosophy, this book has been a true blessing to my family and I highly recommend it!

Quoting reviewer Oleanna, 'Forty-four volunteer test families around the world, of varied configurations, read her (Pantley's) initial manuscript and followed Pantley's directions, reporting back to let her "peek into their naptime and bedtime routines, problems and successes," and 245 families completed extensive sleep surveys.'

I was one of the *lucky* families that completed that extensive sleep survey--and it was indeed *very* involved--but what a wonderful opportunity to 'help' other parents! The survey recorded more than *just* sleep issues, and it's my understanding that parents from myriad parenting styles were surveyed. So, the book is a collection of differences delivered in a cohesive, concise manner.

Ms. Pantley is thorough, professional and incredibly friendly. I feel honored that my son, daughter, husband and I were a part of her 'data.' I cherish this book, not just because we were a minuscule part of her database, but because the information within the book is solid.

Thanks Ms. Pantley!
Cheers!

I can remember not that long ago sitting in my daughter's room in the middle of the night thinking I must be the only mum in the world whose baby didn't sleep. I was lucky to get three hours sleep on any given night, and never three hours in a row. But thanks to Elizabeth Pantley and her book "the no-cry sleep solution for toddlers and preschoolers" my little girl Milla has gone from a baby who breastfed 10 times a night to a gorgeous 18-month-old who sleeps between seven and ten hours straight!
Apart from being exhausted when Milla wasn't sleeping, I was miserable because of all the pressure being put on me to "do controlled crying" from extended family. One even said I was a "bad mother" for getting up at night for my girl and not teaching her to sleep by letting her "cry it out " for hours on end. Everything in my heart said controlled crying wasn't right for my Milla. She was a sensitive, gentle and caring girl who was very attached to her mummy. I loved my little girl too much to hear her cry because her mama wasn't there when she needed her.
After applying Pantley's gentle and practical tips, Milla is now sleeping peacefully - and knows that I am there for her when she needs me. I treasure every second with my little girl and am so glad I never abandoned her to cry. We have such a close and beautiful relationship. I feel like the luckiest mum in the world.
The first key point I learned from Pantley was that as long as Milla and I were getting enough sleep and we were happy - then we didn't have a problem - regardless of what anyone else thought. Milla now wakes once a night, between 5 and 6, and I give her early morning cuddles till get-up time. Controlled crying experts told me NEVER to cuddle my daughter back to sleep. I'm glad I ignored them because I treasure those mornings when I hold Milla in my arms and feel her soft breathing beside me. This is not a problem for us and a lovely start to our day.
Pantley's eight bedtime tips seemed rather simple and obvious at first - but once I put them into practice they actually worked. Milla no longer has a night light, has a long and quiet bedtime routine at the same time every night, no tv is allowed when Milla is in the room, she is now going to bed when her biological clock says is the right time for Milla (not what experts say) and while my husband calls me a "sleep Nazi", it works! And for those with sleep-log phobias, I still keep a meticulous sleep diary. It helps me notice subtle changes in Milla's sleep patterns as she grows older and her sleep needs change.
The final chapter in Pantley's book - Adult Sleep: Now It's Your Turn - was also a life saver. When Milla finally started sleeping well, I would lie awake for hours at night waiting for her to wake. I always tended to be a bit of an insomniac, and her tips for babies have actually also helped me!
I would strongly recommend this book to any mum who needs sleep and can't find it in her heart to do controlled crying. Pantley's approach might take a bit longer than controlled crying (though even controlled crying isn't guaranteed to fix sleep problems quickly and for life) but considering babies and toddlers grow up so quickly, it is worth the investment. My little girl goes to sleep with a sweet smile on her face, not tears!
Tanya from Australia.

David has a wealth of corporate experience to draw from in the development of this book. Knowing how to find a job in today's world is like trying to hit a moving target. David has up to date proven tips on how to effectively find a job in the job market today. Reader's are advised to put their past behind them, look to the future, gain their focus and target their search. An accountability partner who is honest to the point of pain is also essential for your search to be most effective. I highly recommend David's book as a "must read!"

David's book is a comprehensive guide to each step in the job search process. He integrates the big picture of our spiritual journey with practical applications. The design concepts of the two-page resume, the development of your Two-Minute Drill, the use of pre-planned interview questions, and good networking techniques are invaluable. I've recommended this book to many people. It's simple and effective.

David's book has helped me through a very difficult time in my life, after 14 years with the same company, I found myself back in the job market without the tools to be able to initiate a proper job search. Through Davids book, I have learned the proper way to write a resume, proper interview techniques, and one of the most important, the follow-up after the interview.
With Davids help, I was able to find employment during a very slow job market within just a few months.
Thank you for a one of a kind approach to job hunting.
Mike Wywias

I am a social worker and I use this book as part a job development curriculum helping women gain employment. The author keeps your attention with applicable stories and humor. This book is full of practical advice no matter where you are in your job search. I have even recommended the book to my father and husband to read. "Finding a Job God's Way" is a great read for anyone trying to find not only employment, but the job that God has for them.

Notice all these 5-stars are from Texas? No surprise there; I imagine all these good-ole folks want a job so they can afford their gas-guzzling SUVs and keep up with the Joneses in their McMansions. I would add most of them haven't reviewed anything else on Amazon: friends of the author? Paid? Perhaps the author himself with various nom de plumes?

You don't need to pray for a job: with a little hard work, determination, and an unwavering tenacious attitude, you'll be able to fulfill your earthly needs. IT'S CALLED ENLIGHTMENT; HUMANISM: stop your ignorant blathering, people.

God's dead.

Don't waste time with this yahoo book . . . just go out there and apply yourself; fight for the poor and down-trodden. Fight for a clean environment and give peace a chance.

And remember . . . Jesus rode a donkey not a corporate jet. He understood that it takes a village . . . not self-help drivel from a con-artist.

Great book on the plight of unwanted and abandoned animals and the humans who care enough to do something about it by rescuing them and finding homes for these homeless pets.

I thought it was an okay book, but as I was reading, I found myself skipping through all the blah blah blah to get to the actual animal stories. The stories about the animals were great, but you have to wade through a lot to get to them.

Terri Crisp is a dinosaur and hopefully she has been replaced by more enlightened people. She randomly euthenized every feral cat she came across, proclaiming that ferals are not adoptable and are basically a scurge. Obvioulsy she has never heard of T.N.R. programs. I was very disappointed in this book and in Crisp's actions and can only hope people will NOT use it as a guide to animal welfare. It is just one uneducated womens accounts of her exploits.

This is in response to the post about Terry Crisp's organization being investigated by California's Attorney General's office. This is what's posted on her website:

Noah's Wish Board of Directors, March 26, 2007

We are writing to inform you that Noah's Wish is in the midst of an ongoing civil investigation by the California Attorney General's office concerning funds received by Noah's Wish during Hurricane Katrina. The California Attorney General has taken the position that certain funds donated to Noah's Wish during this period, and its immediate aftermath, are restricted and may only be used for the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina, rather than the animal victims of other disasters or for general disaster preparedness. Noah's Wish disagrees with the Attorney General's position with respect to those funds, but is working cooperatively with the Attorney General toward a timely resolution of the dispute.

In response to the California Attorney General, Noah's Wish has set aside the disputed funds and agreed not to use those funds pending final resolution of the investigation. Noah's Wish is unable to predict when the matter will be resolved. Because Noah's Wish does not presently have access to the disputed funds, it is unable at this time to continue with its efforts to provide disaster preparedness services and volunteer training.

We will provide you with an update once we have resolved this matter.

We appreciate your patience and also wish to express our gratitude for all that you have done to support Noah's Wish in carrying out our charitable mission.

State probe forces animal-rescue nonprofit to close
Queries $8M raised in wake of Katrina
Sacramento Business Journal - March 30, 2007
by Kelly Johnson
Staff Writer
A local animal-rescue nonprofit that gained national attention for its work after Hurricane Katrina, sparking more than $8 million in donations, was shutting down this month amid a state investigation into how it used that money.
Noah's Wish, which rescues and cares for animals in disasters, was preparing this week to close its El Dorado Hills headquarters. About a dozen workers have resigned or been laid off since late last year.
The California Attorney General's Office has been investigating the organization since last summer, examining how Noah's Wish used donations that might have been designated for relief efforts in the hurricane-ravaged area. The probe led to most of the nonprofit's funds being set aside in accounts where they couldn't be used for other operations.
The nonprofit contends the funds were used properly and said it is cooperating with investigators.
The group received millions in donations after news stories showed its efforts in an area devastated by the August 2005 hurricane. Former Noah's Wish insiders allege those millions were intended to relieve suffering in the storm-battered zone but were improperly used for other purposes.
According to documents obtained by the Business Journal from a former employee, an accounting firm hired by Noah's Wish to examine its books concluded that it would be impossible to conduct a reliable audit because so many records were missing from the period when the group and its volunteers were working on the ravaged Gulf Coast.
Documents filed by the nonprofit or provided by the former employee indicated Noah's Wish had about $210,000 in revenue in the year ended June 30, 2005, and almost 40 times that much -- $8.4 million -- in the next six months.
Expenses shot upward, too, from about $212,000 in 2004-2005 to more than $2 million in the last six months of 2005, including almost $400,000 to purchase vehicles. In early 2006, the group bought a storage building in East Alton, Ill., for $65,125 and leased office space in New York City, according to documents provided by the former employee.
Terri Crisp, founder of the group and its executive director until this week, was paid $6,200 in 2004-2005, tax records show. The documents supplied by the former employee covering July through December 2005 indicated Crisp received compensation of almost $141,000.
The nonprofit's board this week acknowledged the investigation on the group's Web site. "The California Attorney General has taken the position that certain funds donated to Noah's Wish during this period (of Katrina), and its immediate aftermath, are restricted and may only be used for the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina, rather than the animal victims of other disasters or for general disaster preparedness," a letter posted online said. "Noah's Wish disagrees ... but is working cooperatively with the Attorney General toward a timely resolution of the dispute."
Noah's Wish has agreed not to use the disputed funds while the investigation is pending, and the nonprofit cannot continue its work without access to the money, the letter said.
A spokesman for the state's top lawyer would not confirm or deny an investigation.
Ralph Nevis of Downey Brand Attorneys LLP in Sacramento, who represents the group, would not discuss the nature of the inquiry.
Founder was asked to leave board
Staff members are being paid through April 11, but this week only the office manager remained at the El Dorado Hills headquarters to close things down over the next couple of weeks.
At one point, the nonprofit had 15 employees working at offices in El Dorado Hills and New York City and from homes in other states. The three-person office in New York closed in January.
"They've reduced the staff because of funding. It's everybody," Crisp said Wednesday. She said she's taking her remaining days as sick leave, but by Wednesday evening a message on the group's Web site said she was no longer connected with Noah's Wish.
Crisp also served on the organization's board of directors from its founding in 2002 until February. She's no longer on the board, she said, "partly because it's a conflict of interest." The Attorney General's office "had asked for me not to remain on the board."
Because she's no longer on the board, Crisp said she did not have the latest information on the investigation or details about what it covers. Investigators, she said, have not interviewed her and were working only through the nonprofit's attorney and its board chair, Amy Maher.
Maher did not return calls Wednesday. Board members Lyn Kendrick, Gail Monick and David Lesser declined to comment on the investigation; another, Heather Hathaway, did not respond to a request for an interview.
Asked about allegations that the nonprofit inappropriately used money, Crisp said, "I don't know of any misuse of funds."
Lori Polk, chair of the Noah's Wish board during Katrina, left it the month after the hurricane. Before and after Katrina, she said, she voiced concerns about "the organization and the allocations of the donations we were collecting." She said she felt she was "fighting a losing battle trying to maintain my fiduciary responsibility to the organization."
The group "did not make decisions based upon board approval," she said, and made "expenditures without approval."
The former employee, who would only speak on condition of anonymity, said that "the amount of money that was spent by the organization was unbelievable."
The Attorney General's authority over charities includes investigating the loss of substantial funds during one year, illegal use of funds, diversion of funds from their intended purpose and excessive amounts paid for salaries, benefits, travel, entertainment, legal and other professional fees, according to the agency's Web site.
Raising money last month
Noah's Wish was soliciting funds as recently as February. In a letter to potential donors, Crisp wrote the nonprofit had "made a concerted effort to only ask for donations when the need truly exists, and not become a pest with repeated appeals."
Later, the letter said, "So why am I contacting you now? Noah's Wish is prepared for the next disaster, but lately this has become increasingly challenging." Because 2006 was a "fairly uneventful year," Crisp wrote, donations declined significantly.
Tax documents for Noah's Wish obtained by the Business Journal reported revenue of $8.4 million, almost all of it from contributions, between July 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2005. Some $4.8 million was in unrestricted assets and $1.5 million in temporarily restricted assets at the end of that year, financial documents indicate.
In June 2006, the accounting firm engaged to audit the books wrote the board that it could not express an opinion on the 2005 financial statements, according to documents provided by the former employee.
"A significant portion of corroborating evidence such as vendor invoices, receipts, deposit slips and other supporting data were not maintained during the period that the organization was responding to the needs of animals during Hurricane Katrina. The records that remain are not sufficient to permit the application of auditing procedures that would be adequate for us to express an opinion on the accompanying financial statements," according to the letter from John Waddell & Co. CPAs.
For the second half of 2005, Noah's Wish paid $405,948 in salaries and compensation, according to the Form 990 supplied by the former employee. Of that, Crisp received $140,900, while the second-highest compensation went to Sheri Thompson at $118,125, the tax documents show.
If the numbers are correct, it appears the compensation for Crisp and Thompson is well above the norm for nonprofits of this size, said Ann Lucas, executive director of the Nonprofit Resource Center. The annual median base salary for the executive director of a nonprofit of this size is $130,000, according to the 2006 Compensation and Benefits Survey of Northern California Nonprofit Organizations, which is produced by the Center for Nonprofit Management in Los Angeles.
Noah's Wish committed $1 million to the city of Slidell, La. for construction of a new animal control center; the old one was severely damaged by Katrina. The city has not received any of those funds, Slidell City Attorney Tim Mathison said.

At age 30, after being a college athlete and in "perfect" health, my daughter was diagnosed with RA. We were devastated!! Two years later, she was on Enbrel, methotrexate and other meds for her condition--things looked pretty hopeless. After much research into the disease, we decided we wouldn't just sit around and let the disease take it's course. Researching on Amazon's site, we came across Barbara's book and thought it sounded too good to be true! After all, the rheumatologists were telling us there was no cure. We had nothing to lose but the price of the book, a little time and effort--but we had everything to gain if it did indeed work.

One year ago, we started with the fast that Barbara recommends and we were absolutely shocked with what happened. After 5 days, my daughter was completely without pain, swelling or any sign of RA. We were ecstatic!! Now, the problem was sustaining it! This proved to be the most difficult of the equation. We enlisted the help of a PA who was open to a different approach to the disease and (as Barbara suggested) was able to get food sensitivities completed. Remarkably, the list was extensive, but corn wasn't on it!! My daughter undertook a rotational diet and added many supplements to her daily diet. After a period of six months, she was able to come off Enbrel and methotrexate, but not all of her meds. However, though it is slow,we continue to make progress. This disease didn't happen overnight and will not be stopped overnight.

I believe we couldn't have done this without Barbara's guidance. Her book became our source of strength when we thought about giving up. It was precise, thorough, informative and most importantly--certain this could be done.

There are four other books which we have used in this journey. One, Breaking the Vicious Cycle, is also a must read. Three others, Probiotics Revolution, Children With Starving Brains and Healing the New Childhood Epidemics, are based on the theory of disease being gut related. The latter three books are significant in that they give good recommendations for nutrients to combat inflammation of the gut, which appears to play a large part in RA.

Book was very organized and as a result was clear. The format of explanation and then giving a plan of action was excellent. The only thing it needed to be a 5 Star was a little more humor.

A different theory at what causes arthritis, written by someone who generally cured herself. Talks a lot about food sensitivities that cause arthritis and how to figure out what your food sensitivity so you can avoid or reduce your expose thus feel better.

This author has figured out what causes many cases of arthritis. I have osteoarthritis and have been following her recommendations for about a month now. I can already tell a difference in the way I feel. If I cheat, I can really tell the difference the next day. I recommend this book.

I think this is a good book, but unfortunately, the author's type of arthritis (allergic) is not related to rheumatoid arthritis, which is what my husband has. So, basically, I wasted my money on a book we cannot use.