Education Books

Based on the previous reviews, this was the first book I chose to read as we begin to consider to homeschooling our two young children.

Beginning with the introduction, this informative book is written in an easy-to-read format, with chapters leading the reader through "Does Homeschooling Really Work," legal information and ideas to think about for your own homeschool. How much structure do you want? Will you need outside assistance? How much does it cost? The book covers the huge differences between primary education, middle school, and high school education. It discusses recordkeeping, learning resources, and finding your niche in the homeschooling community. It provides information on "rough" spots and learning/physical disabilities.

Although the book is definitely slanted for the person wanting to find out more information, the author takes no stand on such personal choice issues such as: different theories of learning (unschooling), the private school umbrella, and many other matters. Instead, the author provides a detailed list of pros and cons for these choices, leaving this decision to the reader. Throughout the book are interview excerpts from homeschooling families around the country, providing their viewpoint on many different areas.

This book gave me courage to continue to find out more about homeschooling. It answered questions that I hadn't even begun to think of. The easy to follow format means I could easily go back to reread something. It also includes an index and terrific appendices such as homeschooling resources, organizations and selected learning resources. I highly recommend this book.

Good book which gives honest, detailed advice about getting started in homeschooling by age. An easy read.

We never intended to homeschool, but after our six year old daughter became subjected to sexual harrassment and bullying at recess at our local and well-recommended public school, we pulled her out mid-year. Now we are homeschooling. This book was a lifesaver in the midst of a very tumultuous time.

Other reviewers have pointed out that this book doesn't sugar-coat the topic of homeschooling. I appreciated hearing the facts, as well. The book does point out that homeschooling doesn't work for everyone at every time. It handles the challenges of socialization and curriculums very realistically.

After reading this book, I really felt that I had a good handle on what the pros and cons of homeschooling are. I feel more prepared to proactively handle issues that might arise as a result of homeschooling. This is important because oftentimes problems with homeschooling can be greatly reduced or eliminated if only you are aware of the issue and take measures to prevent/handle it before it becomes a problem (for example, those who have concerns about legal issues of keeoing children out of public school).

This book is an excellent overview of the topic. Please note it doesn't provide a great deal of in depth information on curriculum. There are books much more specific to that topic. This will point you in the direction, however, and should answer most questions regarding the how-to of homeschooling. This will also help you ask yourself the right questions to figure out f homeschooling might be a good option for your family.

This is an excellent place to start when you first being to consider the option of homeschooling. It offers a wealth information on where to start and issues to consider. It covers a lot of the startup issues you need know abut, how to integrate it into your own life and lots of brief stories from real people are used to illuminate whatever topic is being covered in that section. I particularly liked the section that covered the issues and concerns people might have about socialization for kids are homeschooled.

In many ways, it accomplishes what the "Dummies..." and "Idiots..." series books do...but with an intelligent, competent and professional style.

I'm a new homeschooling mom, and I found this book to be a great hands on resource book about how to start homeschooling your children. It has detailed learning ideas for primary, middle and teen years. If you are looking for answers to alot of tough questions like when, why, and how to homeschool your child, then "The Homeschooling Handbook"by Mary Griffith, will be a valuable tool for you. Whether you homeschool your child or not, read this book for it's many helpful fresh ideas for working with children.

I read this book 32 years ago and became a Christ lover. Real love was evident to me in this story and I wanted real love. The pastor in the book explained so beautifully what love was and how it was to be waited for, made choices towards and fully expressed in the sacredness of marriage, I got completely and radically saved.
I have purchased this book for so many girls over the years and my son's friends have picked this book up from the coffee table and in just reading a little bit of it, comment, "That's a good book -".
You cannot help but be moved and challenged by the couple's story, the TRUTH they are hearing and their candid responses.
I highly, highly recommend it for anyone wanting to understand the love of God and see how His love manifests in the paradigm of marriage.

This is an excellent story about real people who have real struggles and yet, through it all, are seeking God and His will. Francois is a modern day Jacob who wrestles with God and refuses to give in until God blesses him. All the people in this story disappoint at one time or another. However, that serves to illustrate God's love and faithfulness all the more. It is a true example of Romans 8:28 - All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Because the book is a compilation of private letters, there is a real sense of the pain and struggle that Francois is going through, and of the sympathy and compassion of Pastor Trobisch. One can easily relate to the characters.

As one aspiring to become a pastor this book was incredibly helpful, the compassion that Pastor Trobisch shows toward Francois while at the same time being firm and clearly and convincingly discussing Biblical principles regarding sex, love, and marriage, is truly moving. It was an excellent example of how to counsel someone who is truly struggling and seeking God.

And as a young man myself, it was helpful to see I have a brother who struggles with love, hope, and disappointment. The words Pastor Trobisch writes to Francois were very helpful and encouraging to me as well.

Some secondary issues: Because Francois is a young African man, the problems he faces, and the interaction between him and Pastor Trobisch - a European missionary - has an added color which both makes the story interesting and demonstrates the difficultly of trying to balance Biblical principles, and respecting cultural traditions. Furthermore, Francois, despite being spiritually immature in many issues demonstrates a remarkable understanding for the importance of the Lord's Supper which is lacking in most Western evangelical churches. Also, church discipline comes up a number of times and demonstrates the human tendency to be a pendulum. The African churches misuse church disciple, using it to punish instead of draw people to repentance (I Cor. 5). At the same time, it is obvious that the Western church has neglected the use of church discipline out of fear of misusing it. It should be noted that although the African church was too strict and unforgiving, Francois would not have been driven to write to Pastor Trobisch if he had not be disciplined. By neglecting church discipline churches damage their members instead of showing them grace and mercy.

This is an excellent book, and, although not without its faults, certainly worth the money and time. I strongly recommend it.

Every teenager should read this book. It is straight to the point. The moment you open the book, it has you enchanted! It isn't even long! I finished it in a day. Nobody will be intimitated by it. It is a great book!

This book is one I think everyone should read. It is inspirational, and expresses in totality what true love really is.
"I Loved A Girl" is a book of private letters written between two young Africans, Francois and Cecile and their Pastor. In these letters they express their unconditional love for each other combined with the love of Christ.
This is definitly a story that should be shared with couples, or those who ever been in love.

Earlier this year, a man I respected gave me a copy of Trobisch's book Love is a Feeling to be Learned. It was very challenging. When the former pastor of my church gave me a copy of I Loved a Girl a few weeks ago, I was excited to read it. I was not disappointed.

This is a chronological collection of letters between two young lovers from Cameroon and their pastor, Trobisch. Initially the concern is the nature and place of sex--"knowing" a woman--it quickly turns to much deeper matters: those of true love and what it really means to fight for a woman's heart. I started reading it last night and stayed up until I finished it, which is rare for me. If you want one book to succintly drive home straight talk about sex, relationships, love, and pursuing your beloved, then this is it!

I really appreciate all parties' transparency and candor in the letters that were written; these are real letters from real people struggling with real issues. Beware: you will be moved and challenged!

Also, I've found that this might be a great book to give to someone considering Christianity but wary of its "outdated" morality. Trobisch really highlights the beauty and purpose of taking male-female relationships God's way instead of man's way.

I have all of the Princess School books and all of them are great! I liked If the Shoe Fits because it tells about 4 friends who are princesses and are just like other girls. I love it!!!!!!!

This book is so good. I'm 12, almost 13, but I like reading fantasy books. I found this book in my school computer lab and started reading it. I hope to read the others. It looks like a book for 6 years old, but it's not. It's great for all ages!

This book is about a girl, Cinderella, who has to deal with her evil stepsisters and stepmother while attending a school, called Princess School. Her two stepsisters attend the school and try to make her life and her classmates' a living hell. Luckily, she meets 3 other girls, Snow, Rapunzel, and Rose, who are the only nice girls from her class. They help her get through her classes while Ella must do all the dirty work at home. Plus, I love the ending!

This was an awesome book. Like most people, i wish Ella was brunette. I guess disney made her blonde in the movie. My favorite character is Rose, though. They didn't have a whole ton of her. I've read the first three books, but I've started the fourth. When i picked it up, i though i was too old to read it, but i was wrong. It's great for all ages!

I've read every book in the series and am impatient for 'Thorn in Her Side'. This one is my favourite because Rapunzel's my favourite out of the four girls, and it has a lot of Val/Rapunzel moments. :-)

I'm 16 and loved this book. My sister (age 10) was reading it and the title caught yy eye so I picked it up. It's really cute and it stresses great values such as indiviuality and friendship. I found that this book made the princesses more like real girls and gives them the opportunity to relate to them better. It was good and I recommend it really for anyone who is a princess at heart.

After attending a writing workshop conducted by Harry Noden and realizing how powerful his methods are in teaching students the art of descriptive writing and in developing one's own skills, I was thrilled to find his book. Its nine chapters are full of specific, concrete strategies to create a writing masterpiece with each concept that is presented.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS BOOK! I have searched for years for a useful way to teach grammar. This book has been an inspiration to my teaching. I have tried several of Noden's techniques, all with great success. This book is a must have for any English teacher!

Image Grammar is a great tool to use to quickly improve student writing!

Book was unwrapped, with new and functional CD. Thank you for great (and timely) service.

This is a very well-done book. The ideas in the book flow and fill your head with plenty of ideas. The writing itself is polished and comfortable. A great book for students and teachers. A good read.

This book has been my savior I reccommend it to anyone even remotely interested in a PHd or a PsyD in clinical psychology you wont be dissapointed

I carefully followed this book's recommendations throughout the entire application process. I applied to eleven APA accredited doctoral programs in clinical psychology and was accepted at EIGHT of them! The book's detailed suggestions were tremendously helpful and probably contributed to this remarkable outcome. However, I found it important to use other sources of information as well, since some data in the book is inaccurate. Inadequate information on how to select the "best-fit" school from among multiple offers was the book's greatest shortcoming. P.S. Don't worry about typing the application forms - just use very neat printing or handwriting. Type everything else, however.

Everything you'd want to know about grad school is all in this one source. This book includes everthing you'd want to know about applying to graduate schools (overall acceptance rates, whether an advanced degree helps, what graduate schools consider to be important). However, rather than presenting the author's advice and opinions, the information is compiled from empirical research studies which adds much credibility to the information provided. Very helpful, is also the comprehensive guide of all APA approved combined, clinical and counselling psych programs. Provided are such things as scales indicating how clinically or research oriented a program is, the theoretical orientations of the faculty, what percentage of students are accepted into APA internships, the GPA and GRE cutoffs, number of applications received and number admitted, percentage of students receiving financial aid, percentage who hold advanced degrees, percentage of women and minorities, average years to completion of the program as well as research and clinical oppurtunities available. This book is very helpful in providing you with a general idea of what programs you may want to look into further, however the information doesn't always seem to be 100% accurate, therefore you may want to investigate further rather than accept all the information as factual.

This book gave me a realistic look at what it takes to get into a Ph.D. Program in psychology and how to go about getting what I needed. I have recommended this book to many others because most books on this subject only give you statistics of different schools- how many students they accept, what the average GPA is of someone who is accepted. THis book is much more practical and step by step.

For anyone interested in clincal or counseling graduate study, this book is essential. These areas are extremely competitive and one cannot go into the process "blind." The general APA guide can be useful, but it covers many areas and mainly gives the basic facts on all programs. On the other hand, this book is very specialized. It gives information on the programs, but also includes invaluable information relevant to clinical and counseling psychology training. It has information on the programs, but also tells you how to prepare yourself, so you get in to those programs.

I am interested in clinical health psychology and this book was a great help. It has a useful index of programs by subject area. It also has a self-rating from programs about how strongly they emphasize research or clinical practice. It is essential to find schools that will provide you with the experiences you are looking for.

Overall, this book will help you find programs that suit your needs and maximize your potential for getting accepted to them!

This is a benchmark book for interactive design. It separates the design process into information design, interactive design and presentation design. Those who head the process and focus on information design tasks at the beginning of an interactive project will find that costs are lower.

Information design changes are easiest at the beginning of a project and create large cost problems at the end.

If you have proceeded with good information design then interactive design and costs are much less difficult and less expensive.

Finally if you have made good information design and interactive design decisions, then you have a vast arrays of how to present the final product. It is at this stage the costs the highest with graphic designers, video producers, web developers, programmers and so on.

Read the book and memorize the process.

The book promised a lot based on previous readers' reviews and the publishing house's reputation but I was disappointed with its contents. The information is well presented but too simplistic. Lacking any further elaboration this book is of little use if you have some experience in the field of interactive design. A good brain-storming session at home would come up with the same findings of this book.

I have had this book for 4+ years. I loaned it to a friend once who didn't return it, so I bough another one.

Among the dozens of books I own and read on usability or project management, etc. this one is fantastic - a real stand-out.

The one drawback is that it's not as contemporary/up-to-the-minute as newer books. [shrug]

This is nicely organized, introduces important concepts and explains them in plain english. I used it as a textbook for a multimedia class and it was well received.

You will not find fancy tricks and designs, but you will get a good overview of multimedia, interface design and project management. It is 'outdated' so it is not suitable for experts but its information is excellent for an intro class, especially for people with little graphics experience.

For once, someone makes the distinction between information design, interaction design and presentation design. This book was invaluable in helping our division more clearly define our process for product development.

This book is great for boys and girls alike, but especially poignant for young boys who still want their sleepy pals but also want to be thought of as grown-up! If you can get them to read it with the attitude of the characters, you'll smile the entire time you're reading. Dont' let this one get by you!

These books are perfect. His ear for spoken language is dead-on. It's a joy to read aloud.

This is one of the sweetest bedtime stories, getting kids ready for sleeping over with a reassuring message. Best of all, it features two little boys. There's not a lot of gentle message kids books out there that feature little boys.

This is timeless kiddie lit story: Ira is invited to his first sleep over. Ira's older sister, however, casts doubt in Ira's mind. Will Reggie laugh because Ira sleeps with a teddy bear? Should he go with or without his beloved teddy? His parents are supportive and Ira makes his decision, only to change his mind once again.

Jim Trealease, of Read-Aloud fame, read this story, with appropriate voices to a group of teachers. I was so enchanted with it that later, when I taught high school, I asked permission of my seniors to tell them Ira Sleeps Over. They loved it!

Not having read the book nor able to check it out from a library, I relied totally on reviewers 5 star comments when deciding to purchase this book. Just about 1/3 the way into the book my parental radar piqued at the conversation between Reggie and Ira concerning ghost stories, "scary, creepy, spooky ghost stories." To my sorrow, no mention or even allusion of this was in any of the reviews.

My youngest 3 children (two 5 year olds and a 7 year old) are from a culture that emphasizes ghosts, the boogie man, evil spirits, etc. in a demonic fashion. Prior to becoming part of our family, ghosts were used as a form of disciplne to terrorize them to comply and obey. Even after having them in our family for a year they still struggle with the memories of these demons. Since the ghost story is the climax in Ira Sleeps Over, I do not recommend this book.

As a former Thelemic briother and now baptized Lutheran, I have to say that Christianity is a lot more gothic and the all around best religion in the world today. This book is for the baptized or church going Lutheran. What's really great in real terms is that this book is used by Lutheran ministers for adult confirmation, which I am currently attending. Anything you give your church is considered a donation. They ask for none of your income whatsoever. Behold the glory of the crucifix.

Beautiful new cover and color. Inside the new page color(cream or tan) makes the print just jump off the page. Very easy to read.
Everyone should read this book, and find out what Lutherans believe and why.

This is an excellent version of Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation, with very good supplemental materials added. This book would be a great resource for Protestants of all denominations, and is required reading for all Lutherans. Essential aspects of Christian doctrine are concisely reviewed with the scriptural basis provided for these beliefs. This book is highly recommended to everyone seeking insights into the foundations of Christian doctrine.

I have been a Christian for quite a few years. And I went through two years of confirmation classes as a teen. But over the last few years as I spent more time in God's Word, I found I had a lot of questions. I asked my pastor, but never got satisfactory answers. I recently joined a Lutheran (LCMS) church and read this book and the Book of Concord. I found both to be very helpful, but in particular, I enjoyed how the Small Catechism answered so many of the questions I had previously been unable to answer. All of the points are backed up with quotations from scripture (NIV translation) which I also liked. All in all, I highly recommend this book. I think it is appropriate for all Christians, not just Lutherans.

This small catechism, though not a deal clencher on its own, certainly played a vital role in my move from the contemporary American evangelical movement to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. If you're looking for solid teaching on the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, The Apostles Creed, the Lord's Supper, baptism, and Confession and Absolution, then the writing in this book will aid you along very nicely. For those who desire a deeper look at the Lutheran Confessions I would recommend purchasing a copy of the Book of Concord, which has a copy of the Small and Large Catechisms. That said, I highly recommend this version of the small catechism as it's nice to have as a resource when questions come up.

Henry Mintzberg's MANAGERS NOT MBAS: A HARD LOOK AT THE SOFT PRACTICE OF MANAGING AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT comes from a professor of management studies at McGill University in Canada and takes a broad look at how managers are educated and how they practice management principles, applying them to workforce realities. From management education's possible alternatives to making management a more engaging science, MANAGERS NOT MBAs surveys the pitfalls of management education processes and hwo to overcome it.

Mintzberg is striking a chord with this book. Industry is in desperate need of strong and ethical leadership, not just mangers with strong analytical skills. It may be time for the current business school philosophy to modify its method to produce leaders rather than just inexperienced managers.

Its an excellent description of what management is all about: a combination of science, art and craft. Life is management and vice versa. Be aware that MBA's are almost entirely focused on analysis and misleads: the student, the graduate and worst of all the companies who hire them, to believe he is a heroic leader with powers to manage almost anything (a prerequisite to manage). Managing is about learning in context and in order to learn you have to take a step back and reflect. Business Schools and MBA programs are just means to acquire tools of useful techniques but only in context, sharing competencies with other experienced managers and tutored can you really appreciate when to use each effectively. The IMPM concept is very thought provoking. Its a must read for anyone who is interested in business, management and in life!!!

I read Professor Mintzberg's book for one main reason: to decide whether or not to do an MBA.

Before reading this book and thus the enlightenment, I used to think very highly of the qualification, in an overrated sort of manner. I reckoned that if I'm an MBA graduate, I would know-it-all and it'll make me a darn good manager. And this was precisely what Professor Mintzberg was criticizing on. And it's not entirely the fault of the graduates - the business schools play an important role in instilling this false belief. Graduates should be known for their humility, not arrogance. And I almost see myself going down that arrogance path. Almost.

The book shed lots of light on how managers ought to be, and what an MBA is and is not. It talks about the consequence of selecting the wrong people for the course, or the right people but were then taught wrongly. It talks about its consequences on the practice of management and on society. All these found in "Part 1: Not MBAs".

I read Part I in one sitting. It's utterly engaging and I can hardly put the book down. While Part I criticizes the qualification, "Part II: Developing Managers" puts on a constructive tone on management development. I must say that MBA NOT MANAGERS confirmed my decision that MBA is something I wanted to pursue to have a good grasp of the various important business functions, and to balance this knowledge with experience gained over time.

Mintzberg has performed a great service to those who teach management and seek to facilitate critical thinking about the organizational and societal context of managing rather than a narrow (and often narcissistic) approach. Students will find the book a vehicle for reflection on why they are pursuing a management degree; if they draw from it what Mintzberg seems to intend, they will more clearly see themselves in the classic management role of "working with and through other people" rather than getting to the top as quickly as possible--and at any cost. Management program administrators should welcome the critique of how things are and the examples of how they could be. Mintzberg's insights about the social costs of the links between MBA programs' misguided emphases, students' errantly "heroic" leadership aspirations, and the susceptibility of businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to a cult of the MBA makes at least portions of this very readable book of interest for the general reader. Those who teach management in alternative programs will likely find the book an inspiration.

Used this book in the core MBA course - excellent summary of class lectures & very helpful supplement.

I am currently attending an MBA program and we are using this book in one of our operations classes. Highly recommend this book to schools and students who would like to learn how to solve the supply and demand problem!

First, this book is very easy to read. Throughout the book, the authors used different examples to illustrate the various challenges in realistic settings such as the patient waiting and serving time at the interventional radiology unit. The readers can easily extend and relate the examples in real life.

Second, this book is good for the classroom setting as well as the self study setting. The book is organized in a way that each chapter is focused on one operations management problem and shows the systematic ways to solve the problem. For self learner, one can easily select the topics and chapters of his/her interest.

Also, I found the summary at the end of each chapter especially useful for me. To prepare my exams, I use the summary of key notions and equations in each chapter to make up my "cheat sheet".

Again, "Matching Supply with Demand" is a great book and I highly recommend it.

A fantastic book for operations management!

The book cleverly combines real-life examples with relevant concepts to introduce core principles in operations managmenet.

It is well-organized, easy to understand,and highly relevant.

I found this text book to be extremely helpful in understand and applying operations management. It includes a comprehensive introduction into topics like process flow, estimating and reducing labor costs, batching, the impact of variability, projecting uncertain demand, reactive capacity, risk pooling and several others.

More importantly, the models and examples used are not only practical, but actually interesting. Class discussions were drastically improved due to an increased interest in the cases. I'm sure it took a monumental effort to develop models and cases that make Operations Management interesting to the common student.

I am an MBA student who has used this course book for our first year operations class. The book tackles difficult topics in a very easy to read way and is extremely well integrated with the associated case book and lecture notes. It provides the right level of detail, enabling students to pick up the tools or delve more deeply into the underlying mathematical constructs. The book does what it says on the label, teaching how to match supply with demand through analyzing process bottlenecks, queuing, lost customers, optimal inventory and yield management and supply chain management issues, such as the bull-whip effect and tackling double marginalization. This is a great introductory book to operations management.