Way Books

As a manager of about 30 people, I found this book extremely helpful. Some of the things I new before, but didn't really know how to apply them. This is not just a bunch of theory - it's real world.

This is a great book to jog your thinking and uncake your brain so you don't keep doing what you have been doing.

Rinke's sage advice will cause you to think a bit differently and try a few new tricks that will give you an edge in leading and managing your organization.

I particularly liked chapter 10, Don't Have People Work for You and chapter 13, Trust All the People All the Time. These chapters provide great insights and ideas for leading and managing a diverse workforce with plenty of Generation X and Millenium Group associates.

This is the kind of book that does not require great study or a huge reading investment, but provides great reading enjoyment and a big payoff in sound advice.

Dr. Rinke has used a fun approach to outline the necessary skills to improve leadership skills. By taking the backdoor approach he shows you exactly what to do. The book is full of wisdom, examples, techniques and humor. It should be required reading for any manager or leader.

Those words pop off the back cover to entice prospective readers to open the book. Combine that phrase with the subtitle about contrarian ways to improve leadership effectiveness and you begin to gain an idea of what this book is like. Frankly, I wasn't sure if I'd get a laugh a page or serious stuff. Turns out I got both!

Rinke, an experienced executive leader, management consultant, professional speaker, and author presents alternatives to the old saws that populate so many leadership books. Listen to some of the chapter headings: Knowledge is Not Power. Don't Manage People. Don't Be Proud. Don't Have People Work for You. Don't Focus on the Bottom Line. Don't Satisfy Customers. Are you getting the idea that you might be in for an interesting ride?

Each chapter lightly pokes fun at the common belief, though not as obviously as I expected it would. Readers will be surprised at the strong treatment of leadership skills, illustrated with stories that bring them to life. The lessons are presented in a way that holds interest and teaches practicality.

Laugh? This book includes something unique; I have not seen this done before. In each chapter, just before the summary, there is a brief section titled "Smile." Rinke shares a bit of humor with the reader to keep the book light and to demonstrate that leadership should be fun, not laborious.

If you've spent any time in leadership positions, you'll identify with the proverbial advice...and can probably create your own thinking about what Rinke teaches us. You'll spin a paragraph or two before you wonder where to go next. Rinke will be there to take you further down the path to success.

Wolf has contributed much to the fields of management and leadership over many years; this book adds tremendously to that body of knowledge.

"Don't Oil" is a common sense book that is an easy read, but is chock full of info spread over 20 engaging chapters that can be easily consumed.

A must buy for your library.

A great book. Give it to someone special! They WILL thank you.

This book is deceptively easy to consume. The chapters are relatively short, and dosed with just enough humor, perfect for reading in bed, no matter how tired you are -- or for reading aloud at the dinner table. However, there is more depth and complexity to Leder's writing than it may at first appear; I found myself thinking about and then re-reading many of the pieces. Among my favorites: his "Eleven Suggestions for Becoming A Mensch", and the calculations of how many diapers his mother changed and how many plates of food she served while raising him and his siblings (27,375 and 183,960). Rabbi Leder does not merely show us how extraordinary ordinary life is; he draws us a practical and inspiring map for our own journey.

Steven Leder's book, The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things, is undoubtedly the best book I've ever read. He is realistic, optimistic and has a keen insight on how real life is. A must read for anyone of any age, Jew or non-Jew!

Rabbi Leder has written a wonderful book that reminds us all that there is beauty and greatness in the everydayness of life. It is an uplifting and insightfull read. This book shows the reader that there is more to life and it is right in front of you. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

My 9 year old grandson raised with little Judaism, and 70 year old Orthodox brother enjoyed these stories, which they read together, in equal measure. It provided thought provoking insights into the extraordinary nature of everyday life in stories short enough for children raised on TV segments, and seniors with little time and patience for labored phliosophy.

This book has great content for use with a home school speech and rhetoric program. Not to lengthy, it is an interesting and easy read.

I recommend this book for anyone who would like a few more clues on the many ways masterful sentences are put together. If you have the soul for good writing, but need a little more concrete guidance on how powerful phrases from the Bible to Virgil to Shakespeare to Churchill are constructed--this book will be a delightful little teacher.

I was impressed by the lighthearted and humble approach of the author. Although he gives the formal (and quite forgettable) names for the figures of speech, he says he doesn't expect readers to remember the names, but rather to "taste" the examples he cites, and to get a feel for how to apply these patterns in their own writing. He repeatedly stresses that knowing how to use words and rhetorical patterns is far more important than memorizing their names or even agreeing upon their proper classifications.

The author also cites classics ancient and modern in making the unconventional and refreshing point that we need not slavishly follow the dictates of the now-popular rules of usage as promulgated by Strunk and White and other like-minded authorities. For example, while contemporary authorities repeatedly (yes, ironically) stress the importance of avoiding any unnecessary words, the author of Figures of Speech cites many passages from the Bible, Shakespeare, and other sources of distinction, that clearly do not follow such strictures--and choose elaboration and repitition over spare economy.

Overall, the book is informative, accessible, generous-spirited, and, in places, even humorous and playful.

When I got to the end of the slim volume I found myself wishing there was more.

Short, easy to read. Full of great examples. Will make you a better speaker and heighten your appreciation of great literature, as well as showing you the techniques used by playwrights, poets, politicians, lawyers, clergy, and all others who earn their bread with their tongues. An eye-opener.

Professor Quinn's slim volume is perhaps the best treatment of the subject of rhetorical devices that I have ever read. I say "best," not because it is the most extensive, nor because it is the most detailed coverage of the subject. I say "best" because I feel it is the most *useful* coverage I have ever encountered.

In concise fashion, Professor Quinn takes the reader through many of the most common figures of speech, tells us the formal names, and provides numerous illustrative examples.

It is true that simply knowing the name given to a particular turn of phrase will not guarantee that one can effectively employ it in one's writing. Nevertheless knowing the
forms and having names to identify them makes it easier to see them in use in the writing of others. By thus making them memorable, they also become a more ready part of one's writing toolkit.

The engaging and entertaining style which Quinn uses throughout the book makes even the most daunting technical terms readily accessible. His well-chosen examples are also entertaining and informative, and most are quite memorable. I can't be certain that merely reading this book will improve every reader's writing, but I believe that most folks will benefit from reading it.

"Fair is foul and foul is fair."

"Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances."

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you."

By now, you may have noticed the similarity among these three phrases: an inverse repetition of words. But you may not know this style has its own technical term (epanados). Figures of Speech: 60 Ways to Turn a Phrase, a tiny tome, lists and explains the technical terms of 60 such style devices.

Rooted in Latin, these terms are not important in that each and every one should be memorized. In fact, the author himself notes the foolishness of such a pursuit. But writers (and editors!) should know how to recognize them, and, ideally, experiment with them in their own writing.

Arthur Quinn does a solid job of explaining how to use these figures of speech. He provides brief definitions and illustrates them by listing examples from eminent writers and the Bible. However, I do have a few complaints. Sometimes Quinn glosses too quickly over a term, not giving it a full definition. He also often does not explain how his examples show a particular style device (it would be nice if he bolded them, when possible). Sure, sometimes the examples are self-explanatory but for the confusing concepts it would aid comprehension. His glossary is also a little erratic, sufficiently explaining one term while insufficiently explaining another.

Overall, however, Quinn has created a valuable resource for creative writers. It's a gem of a book in its brevity, and I wish another edition would come out to renew people's interest.

Though I be straight, I adored this book. It's truly laugh-out-loud funny - and thought-provoking as well. Highly recommended!

I cannot believe how hysterically funny this book is. Other books have made me smile, but this one actually made me laugh out loud while reading it at home alone. Congratulations Mr. Perry, you managed a first. Come back to DC for a visit. I'd love to meet you.

The book does tend to lose it at the end a bit. It's still funny, but only brought a smile rather than hearty guffaws. That flaw isn't serious enough to cost it a star.

Mr. Perry manages some absolutely fabulous zingers (there, I said fabulous) and I don't think there is anyone who wouldn't find them funny. He even dares to say what we're all thinking about those guys standing around in the local leather bar. Going to the Eagle will have a whole new meaning for me now. And this book will pop up in my mind the next time I'm walking up Fifth Ave toward Saks.

Mr. Perry is the bear equivalent of Michael Thomas Ford, but funnier. You go, gurl!

An engaging and enormously funny series of essays that kept me laughing out loud. Rarely does a book keep its steam as it moves from story to story, but Perry's book is like a table full of Christmas cookies--each one special and unique yet equally exciting and scrumptious. I'm not an easy laugher, but this book brightened my days and made me smile hours later. A must have!

I just finished this book yesturday and though that it was the most flabulous read i have had in ages. Don't think that the book just caters to the "Gay" perspective, its a fun hetero read as well. The comical Joel Perry humored me greatly throughout the book, with his funny anecdotes, petpeeves, and biographical stories. It's not only a great buy but a great read too. DOn't miss this book the next time you are browsing through the Gay and lesbian section. And if your hetero, try taking a look you might find something that aspires to you. Enjoy!

I cannot believe how hysterically funny this book is. Other books have made me smile, but this one actually made me laugh out loud while reading it at home alone. Congratulations Mr. Perry, you managed a first. Come back to DC for a visit. I'd love to meet you.

The book does tend to lose it at the end a bit. It's still funny, but only brought a smile rather than hearty guffaws. That flaw isn't serious enough to cost it a star.

Mr. Perry manages some absolutely fabulous zingers (there, I said fabulous) and I don't think there is anyone who wouldn't find them funny. He even dares to say what we're all thinking about those guys standing around in the local leather bar. Going to the Eagle will have a whole new meaning for me now. And this book will pop up in my mind the next time I'm walking up Fifth Ave toward Saks.

Mr. Perry is the bear equivalent of Michael Thomas Ford, but funnier. You go, gurl!

I love this book! From the moment I saw the beautiful images that adorn the pages of this tribute to lost pets and the memorials their owners have built I knew this was a book I had to own. The resources in the back of the book are also essential information for any pet lover.

I felt happiness and sadness when I read this beautiful and unique book. Happiness when reading about all the joy the animals have given to their people, and sadness when reading about their losses. Only so many stories and pictures can be put in a book, but I feel that these stories also represent every animal of every person who reads this book. I am currently dealing with my 8-year old German Shepherd going lame, and it was very hard for me to pick this book up and read it again. But I did, and the story of Arlo, the German Shepherd/K-9 Hero from Oklahoma City touched me and made me cry. I know I will eventually have to deal with the loss of my dog, maybe sooner that I want to, but this book has helped me to think about that inevitible time, and what I will want to do then. This book also has a great list of resources that are available all over the country. I highly recommend this book to purchase for you and all of your friends/family members that love animals.

This was a unique and beautifully arranged book. It brought back so many memories of the pets I have lost. It's truly touching. I will buy this for my many animal lover family members and friends when that day comes for them too. It would make a wonderful gift!

This is such a unique beautiful book. If you love animals you would love this book. Those stories about pets inside this book made me cry. I lost 2 dogs in recent years and there are a lot of stories I can relate to. This book helps you to deal with your pets' deaths. It is also an art book. The pictures are all beautiful and artful. You can enjoy this book in that sense,too. I highly recommend it!!

A book that will let you know that there are others out there, just like you, who mourn the loss of their pet. Good-Bye My Friend shares sorrow, laughter and love. The pictures show how others have given tribute to their lost companions. A great gift to a grieving friend or a resource for a veterinarian's office.

This book really takes you into the world of the author, as she deals with her sensitivity as a child.

Jenna Forrest takes the reader on her private journey into the life of a child lost in the mire of family dysfunction and the confusion that those of us who are sensitives can relate to and understand as we try to fit into the world around us; Jenna shares her innermost feelings from a child's perspective as she realizes even though living in a dysfunctional family, help and hope are delivered in the form of real human angels who do appear for support and empowerment! This book is a must for anyone who feels overwhelmed by visual, tactile, intuitive, and auditory stimuli that is unavoidable in our busy world.Jenna guides us through her reality into a world of awakening to the fact that sensitives and intuitive people are blessed with a gift which is understood by such a minority; Thank you Jenna for your inspirational memoir!

Jenna Forrest shares a profound gift with us by allowing readers of her memoirs to peer into her soul. Her poetic prose amplifies the experience to the degree that we can feel the vinyl on the chairs and hear the scratch in LPs she describes in her journey through childhood. Her words give voice to our child's mind with authentic eloquence, beauty, humor, sadness, fear, and hope.

If you are sensitive person, the parent of a child who is highly sensitive, or in relationship with a sensitive person, then you should read this book for its many, many insights and honest reflection. The reading is not always easy because a child's truth, so well expressed in this book, tells us all how much help the world and the people around us need.

Jenna's book tells the story of her hyper-sensitive childhood, growing up in what seems to have been a pretty dysfunctional home. Through it all, she is able (just) to hang on to a growing personal wisdom, and come through to shine with heaven's glory.

Here is a young writer who will go on to do much; it is a wonderful insight into ALL childhoods.

Powerful, moving and true. Jenna Forrest's true story of life as a "Highly Sensitive Child" resonates to the core of my being.

Jenna's tale explores the overwhelm of the senses - the gift of knowing - the attention to the feelings of others and the passionate, natural drive to help make the world a better place.

An intelligent, thought provoking and soul stirring book, Jenna expresses the challenges and gifts of the highly sensitive child insightfully.

This book is a must for all those wanting to gain a deeper understanding of the trait of high sensitivity and a must for all who enjoy a compelling, descriptive, heartfelt read.

Louise Hatch
London

I have read this book through cover to cover, it is very well written, and practical. It gives excellent information, useful tips, and techniques. It is part of my permanent library and an invaluable resource. It will not disappoint you nor leave you wanting more. It's an outstanding read and I commend the author. I could not recommend it more highly! Great job Mary Moore, a terrific addition to anyone's library. A delightfull read.

Do wish that things could always remain the same? Have you found that they don't? Are you afraid that you lack the strength and ability to cope with on-going change in your life? Ms. Moore offers the concept that changes are gifts from a loving God, and invites us to consider the benefits, the inherent blessings contained in these gifts. She shares her own personal experiences in surviving cancer, and bankruptcy, just to mention a few. She also includes refreshing, insightful exercises to help one surpass the "helpless victim consciousness", and re-gain mastery over any situation. The book is further enhanced by true experiences of many of Ms. Moore's friends. Each recognized their need to change, for personal and spiritual growth. I especially liked the "Daily Problem Solver" passage, and the "Asking God a Question" exercise on pages 117-118. They are among the many tips presented in this remarkable book to help anyone handle life's difficult moments.

I keep referring to this book because life is made of constant change. The author gives practical advice for going through change gracefully, gaining power as we go. She also gives examples from her own life to illustrate and inspire.

Through the honesty and courage expressed in this book, Mary Carroll Moore helped me facilitate change in my life! The exercises are simple, practical, and life-changing. It has become a handbook for me--every time I find myself facing a new level of change, I pull it out. Invariable, I put my hands on exactly what I need!

Recent changes in my life have made me feel confused and lostabout myself and my life. I am still quite young and in the prime ofmy life for change and personal growth. I really was looking for a book that wasn't "out there" but was more down to earth and could help me deal with my feelings of confusion and help me set a path to my life. I am taking my days one at a time now and looking for the positive in every experience thanks to this book. I am a pretty conservative person and this book has helped me to open my mind and my heart. I highly recommend it to anyone experiencing any confusion about life or anyone who feels they need some guidance. This book is guaranteed to make you feel much more in control of your own destiny and feelings.

Jack Mitchell proves he's not just another suit. In Hug Your people, he puts his lifetime of business experience to good use in offering one of the most compelling and refreshing portraits of workplaces as they can and should be that I have ever read. After reading this book, you will be convinced that there is nothing hokey about making people feel important and appreciated, and, should you harbor the curious, often unexpressed, belief that being passionate and fully alive is somehow antithetical to business settings and enterprise (which is suppose to be serious stuff), you will be forced to surrender that ruinous tripe once and for all. In fact, the great revelation in Hug Your People is that Mitchell has found a way to let people be...people...and to cultivate all that they -- we -- have to offer.

Jack Mitchell is truly inspirational in so many ways. With "Hug Your Customers" and now, "Hug Your People", he has proven to be a master of observation and implementation in the retail and corporate world on both the business side and, more importantly, the human side as it relates to customers AND employees. This is a MUST-READ for anyone who wants to help their employees aspire to new heights and reach their full potential.

I enjoyed this book and it's numerous tips and tales.

I also appreciate the focus on how to treat and engage employees, especially because they are foundation to customer happiness (Jack's other book called Hug Your Customers: The Proven Way to Personalize Sales and Achieve Astounding Results is about that).

This is an easy to read book and great for sharing with your boss, your workplace and your friends.

I'm a career retailor and always read what our industry stars have to say. The Mitchells always share all of they're extemly successfull business practices. Not everything they do can always be adapted but there are always things to think about. This book is no exception!

Jack Mitchell once again offers insightful, sound and excellent business advice. His ideas are thought provoking and yet practical enough to easily adapt within an organization. Interacting in business, whether with customers or employees, with respect, trust and appreciation will help to differentiate any organization. "Hug Your People" should be kept as a handy reference guide on every manager's desk.
Dr. John A. Davis
Faculty Chair, Families in Business Program
Harvard Business School

This was the best book I have read in almost 10 years. Joseph Marshall presents human virtues, that I would hope we would all strive to achieve, with examples of historical events, life experience, and cultural stories and legends. This presentation makes it so easy to relate to. It is as if a grandfather you look up to is trying to teach you how to live life a an honest, integral person. I personally think it should be a required read for school student, because unfortunately, too many growing people seem to be missing these lessons, and perpetuating horrible behavior. Great Book!

Marshall's Lakota Way is a wonderful book that I found to conatin bits of wisdom that can benefit all of us, no matter who you are or where you live. The book examines Lakota perspectives on life and how it relates to modern society. I would highly recommend this book as well as Marshall's "Winter of the Holy Iron".

I was truely swept away by this book. All the different stories relating to the Virtues are wonderful. I would recommend this to anyone that shares a love for Native Americans. Their beliefs really come alive in this book for dreamers and romantics like me.

I borrowed this book from the library and
when I started reading it, I couldn't put
it down. I finished the book that same night,
it was great.

This book is based on reality. All these virtues
are based on pure common sense principles.

I will buy this book and a couple more for my
family and friends.

I was truely swept away by this book. All the different stories relating to the Virtues are wonderful. I would recommend this to anyone that shares a love for Native Americans. Their beliefs really come alive in this book for dreamers and romantics like me.

I just completed Laugh and Learn and found it to be a helpful resource.

I have used humor in my training programs for a long time, but with some inconsistent results. The author's advice to focus on having fun (instead of trying to be funny) was a breakthrough for me and has resulted in improved instruction.

We teach a graduate class at Western Michigan University entitled "Humor and Fun: The Brain's Best Learning Strategy." After much deliberation, we made LAUGH AND LEARN the required text for the course. We love the sound and accurate science on humor and brain function, and meanwhile it is a genuinely funny read. In short, the book both proves AND demonstrates the central point of the course: that fun really is the best learning strategy.

Our students include pre-school, middle school, high school, and college teachers, and even administrators. In spite of the fact that LAUGH AND LEARN was written primarily from a trainer's point of view, we find that it offers good stuff for all. We're delighted to report that the response to the book (and the class) has been excellent. We highly recommend this book for virtually any teaching professional.

As a corporate consultant and trainer, I'm always looking for ways to increase my effectiveness in helping clients really learn the material at hand. Like many, I don't consider myself particularly funny, and worry that I could do more harm than good by trying too hard to incorporate humor into workshops.

Doni Tamblyn does a terrific job not only showing the reader how to easily and safely insert humor, she also references fascinating research that clearly supports why humor is so critical to the learning process. The book is written in a friendly, approachable style that makes it a fun read, and I appreciate the handy index to the "95 Ways" listed at the beginning of the book for quick reference.

I highly recommend this book not only to other professional trainers, but to speakers and presenters of all types. Personally, after trying some of Tamblyn's strategies, I not only feel more confident in front of a room, but hey, I'm having more fun too. You can't beat that!

As a corporate consultant and trainer, I'm always looking for ways to increase my effectiveness in helping clients really learn the material at hand. Like many, I don't consider myself particularly funny, and worry that I could do more harm than good by trying too hard to incorporate humor into workshops.

Doni Tamblyn does a terrific job not only showing the reader how to easily and safely insert humor, she also references fascinating research that clearly supports why humor is so critical to the learning process. The book is written in a friendly, approachable style that makes it a fun read, and I appreciate the handy index to the "95 Ways" listed at the beginning of the book for quick reference.

I highly recommend this book not only to other professional trainers, but to speakers and presenters of all types. Personally, after trying some of Tamblyn's strategies, I not only feel more confident in front of a room, but hey, I'm having more fun too. You can't beat that!

"Laughter and Learning"

I'm reading this book, and I sense it is what I have been waiting for. I believe Doni Tamblyn has really nailed it. She's given structure to what seems to be the very complex art of effective teaching. I'll start giving her methods a try by using the "smooth" vs "crunchy" approach for initiating group/team work, and by finally using some of those cartoons I've been accumulating for years.

I'm also thinking about how I could apply some of her ideas to my online distance learning courses, where teaching and learning are not in a traditional classroom. This environment lacks the needed spontaneity, but I could see what would happen if I divided my online class into small discussion teams competing for bonus points for "fabulous prizes" to be awarded at our once-per-week lab meetings.

I appreciate that Ms. Tamblyn has combined her comedic experience with Dewey's ideas, theories of motivation, accelerated learning, and optimal/compatible brain learning, the
Koran, the Talmud, famous quotes, tips on psychology and comedic delivery, and has taken the time to share her synthesis of them in a book. Her Laugh and Learn is not only a great how-to book, but also a scholarly piece of work. I don't usually find how-to books with an index, references, endnotes, so many examples, and a case study! (Her "anatomy of a creative learning module" is precious.) Thank you, Ms. Tamblyn!"