General Practice Books

I have read more than half of the book. I like the material the book covers and the way of teaching by exemples.
Most other books focus on the features of the Unix system.

However I have minor questions:
1. There are typographical errors in exemple code.
2. I do not like function tty_mode(int how) in chapter 6.
it seems trivial and unnecessry and the static variable inside
the function seems questionable style.
I wonder why these obvious things happened in such a good book.

It goes right to the point and it's easy too understand. One of the very few books out there that really shows what system programming is all about. Great samples too.

This book is beautifully written. I just got it today and read the first chapter. I bought it for a class I am taking in Unix Systems Programming. I was relieved when Molay's book arrived in the mail today. I was relieved that the book exceeded my expectations. If you can't afford Harvard, don't worry--the course is all here.

I bought this book for a college course on Linux -- and I can tell you this... unlike other books on Linux, this one is a great read and very informative. I bought mine using a coupon from UnderTag.com, so it was almost free for me.

Unix has had the luxury of being one of the most documented operating systems in history. Many books have been dedicated to documenting the internals of Unix and Unix-like systems and some have risen to the ranks of classic texts regarded by all as necessary to understanding the inner workings of Unix. Understanding Unix®/Linux Programming would be in excellent company with these books. The book contains a copious amount of code and clear, diagramed explanations describing the processes transpiring in the machine.

Understanding Unix®/Linux Programming is designed to be used in an operating systems course with programmers fluent in C. Fortunately, though, the book can be used outside of the classroom if the reader does not mind an occasional open-ended questions with no included answers. The book may seem light on pages (530 including index), but the author should get an award for jamming so much useful explanation and helpful (and complete) code. The format of each chapter is familiar to most textbooks, with an introduction to the task at hand, explanations and examples, a summary, a list of explorations to further understand the topics presented, and a set of programming exercises. The exercises are creative and directly relate to the presented code. They're also (dare I say it?) fun. I'm not saying they'll replace crossword puzzles, but they do present creative or obvious challenges to the reader. (Like handling when a user types 'exit' from a shell, or blinking the text in an ncurses application).

The book includes topics on file I/O, device I/O, timers, process management, stream and datagram sockets, POSIX threads, file systems, the terminal driver, signals pipes, network programming and semaphores. A typical chapter will introduce an operating system concept (file systems and directories, for instance) and will briefly describe the current Unix command for working with that concept (pwd for determining the present working directory, or ls for listing the contents of a directory, and so forth). The author then proceeds to give a detailed description of what the operating system does to run the command. In the chapter on processes and programs, the author describes what processes are and how to use the ps command. Next the author describes how to fork child processes, and wait for them. This leads to the 'prompting shell', which is a simple, yet functional shell environment. Now some books would leave this exercise after creating a semi-functional shell, but the author presses on and in the next chapter creates 'small-shell' which is an interactive shell with a minimal scripting langauge and variable support. All of this in the span of 71 pages, with plenty of examples, full code listings, diagrams, and problem sets.

Understanding Unix®/Linux Programming takes advantage of the inquisitive nature of coders by presenting commands and command squences we all take for granted, and turning them into "how do they work" learning experiences. Anyone who has ever stopped to think why certain things work the way they do in Unix (or work at all) will find this book immensely helpful in sating that curiousity. Students who are assigned this textbook for a class should thank their teacher for choosing a genuinely useful text from which to read. I can't help but be jealous of students who will use this book for their classes. That jealousy is short-lived though, as anyone who wants an excellent resource for learning Unix programming will benefit from picking up this book. Kudos to the author for crafting not only an exceptionally easy to read and thourough book, but for taking the complex machinations of Unix and making them simple and accessible for all coders.

I enjoyed this book myself, then one of our guest writers at our online magazine, [...], Gail Katz, wrote her own recommendation of Rabbi Kula's book.

Gail points out that, as a Jewish woman, this book touched her -- but I can also recommend this to a broader audience, as well.

The entire concept of the book is fresh and appealing because -- let's be honest -- most of us do not lead perfectly organized lives. Our lives are not only messy -- they're filled with ambiguity and daily friction. We love our family, for example, but we question -- and sometimes deeply disagree -- with some family members. The messiness extends further into our workplaces, communities and world.

Rabbi Kula is trying to provide a spiritual framework for accepting that messiness as part of life's pilgrimage. Rather than trying to escape it, he argues, we should realize that a certain messiness is the fabric of life itself. The challenge is where we will allow our yearnings to carry us in this pilgrimage through the mess.

"Yearnings" opens doors and grants the reader an inner journey of redefining personal, daily life. thank you.

I have read this book twice. I will read it again. Whatever your spiritual belief, whatever your level of faith is or is not, you will be influenced by Rabbi Kula. His fundemental logical conclusions on what make all humans tick is right down the pike. The book is not a polyanna fix for all life's woes but it is sound advice on how to improve your life and improve the lives of the ones around you. You will cherish the read and you will recommend to others..... you can't not!

This review pertains to the audio version, and is read by the author. I am a spiritual counselor and an ordained minister. However, my daily work is in the financial industry. I point this out only to give the reader a perspective.

If you have any interest at all in a real understanding of God and life, please read this book. Rabbi Irwin Kula shares wonderful insights and wisdom into why our perception and expectations of life are they way they are. He also helps readers to see the simplicity of our personal universe when given another, perhaps more considered, viewpoint.

There is a lot of rich material for thought and enlightenment here, so take your time and enjoy what Rabbi Kula teaches. For me it was like eating a great meal, every mouthful to be savored and all the food healthy and nourishing.

I found it a bit difficult to read cover to cover because of it's intensity. But I still thouroughly enjoyed the book when I jumped around to read sections relevant to my life. It has something for everyone. Its a kind of book that needs to be re read a few times to get all the meanings. Overall a very nourishing book

An Important Book written by
Dan J. Sanders
CEO United Supermarkets

Reviewed by M. Joyce McMenamin

CALL IT THE CLEVERLY PACKAGED LITTLE BOOK
THAT CAPTURED MY ATTENTION & INSPIRED US TO
CREATE A NEW SECTION IN OUR
LITTLE MAGAZINE!

CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL, WE THINK THAT MR. SANDERS HAS DONE A SUPERB JOB OF POSITIONING THE IDEA THAT "BUYER & SELLER'S INTUITION", COMBINED WITH EMPIRICAL DATA, CREATES A BLENDED SUCCESS MODEL OF THOUGHTFUL & INTELLIGENT PROFITABLITY & LONGEVITY.

SANDER'S GOES BEYOND MERELY MIMICKING PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED MODELS AND
WE WERE ACTUALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE DOWN-TO-EARTH MODELS PRESENTED IN
THIS NEW BOOK BY THE CEO OF UNITED SUPERMARKETS. NO SMALL FEAT. THE CAREER,THE BOOK, NOR THE SUCCESS OF THE ORGANIZATION. ASIDE FROM THE
"INSIDE THE BOOK" ADMIRATION BESTOWED BY BEST SELLING BUSINESS AUTHORS,
STEPHEN R. COVEY & KEN BLANCHARD, THIS BOOK DELIVERS ON IDEAS THAT NEED
TO BE DISCUSSED MORE IN THE FUTURE. IDEAS THAT NEED TO BE TAUGHT IN BUSINESS SCHOOLS & NEED TO BE PUT INTO PRACTICE BY ANY ORGANIZATION THAT
WANTS TO GROW AND THRIVE, LET ALONE SURVIVE, INTO THE NEXT DECADE.
THIS IS A MESSAGE THAT ALL LEADERS NEED TO HEAR, BELIEVE & PUT INTO ACTION.

SANDERS SHOULD GET A TEAM OF FACILITATORS TOGETHER TO BUILD WORKSHOPS
AROUND HIS PRINCIPLES & TAKE IT TO THE MILLIONS OF MANAGERS OUT THERE THAT
STILL DON'T "GEDDIT". BACK WHEN I WAS CONSULTING & FACILITATING CORPORATE GROUP SESSIONS, I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE HAD MATERIAL LIKE THIS TO DRAW FROM. SANDERS GETS IT!

WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?

IN A WORLD WHERE TOO MANY, WHO "SHOULD KNOW BETTER",MERELY SPEAK TO THE METRIC-MODEL, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT SANDERS & UNITED LEARNED HOW TO WALK BEFORE THEY TRIED TALKING. SOMETHING MANY PROFESSIONALS SHOULD EMULATE. IN LIFE LEARNING HOW TO WALK, STUMBLE, FALL AND GET BACK UP AGAIN, IS THE NATURAL PROGRESSION TO GROWTH. WHO KNOWS? IF THIS BOOK HAD BEEN AROUND 20 YEARS AGO MAYBE WE'D STILL HAVE A STRONG AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY! BY THE LOOKS OF THINGS, UNITED SUPERMARKETS AND THE GROCERY INDUSTRY IN GENERAL ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE... AFTERALL, WE ALL GOTTA EAT, RIGHT?

BRAVO!
UNITED, WE STAND & APPLAUD.

Reviewed by: M. Joyce McMenamin
Publisher, Producer and author of The Integrity Channel [m.j.m. estrada]
Network Abundance sponsored by Sensitive Pie Productions

This review originally appeared in NoNiche Magazine November 2007 Issue

This is a beautiful business book. It really teaches you that your business vision and mission must serve a higher purpose in this life. Your mission should not be money, but instead of servitude to humans. All businesses must serve, lead and help their employees and customers attain a higher purpose in this life, and you as a business leader must do just that instead of focusing on profits. Read it, you will have a different view of business after you are done with it.

United Supermarkets, the company Dan Sanders runs, has long been a strong presence in the community I live in...a very strong and a very positive influence.

The environment and culture Mr. Sanders talks about in his book are evident, from a customer's view point, so it was great reading what was going on behind the scenes of this corporation to help create this atmosphere. He does practice what he preaches.

This is an excellent book. It combines the business practices we should all implement with interesting stories that keep you hooked from the first page to the last.

The most difficult thing a person can achieve naturally is a requirement and achievable in Christ, and that is to serve another human being.

We try and do things our way only to end up pursuing wealth, power, status, stuff and things. All along we miss out on the one thing that will bring fulfillment into our lives.

There are many books written on Management and Leadership; most prescribing tools and processes that when implemented over time the companies eventually retreat to nothing but empty warehouses and broken livelihoods, placing cities and towns under a burden of unemployment and families and governmental structures in a deficit. Built to Serve hits the nail on the head by providing practical steps on how to operate in a process that is proven to work.

Serve the people and they will spend more money just to be served; serve them well and they will drive great distances to spend their money because of how being served by your company made them feel. The three keys that I feel made this book so outstanding is that it deals with the reality of a current business mindset which operates in most businesses today which is that you the customer should be glad we are here to take your money and treat you like the ignorant customer that we you and believe you are. Go into businesses and organizations right where you live and you will surely come across this mindset and current prevailing attitude. Serving, the value of people (internal/external customers), and keeping the faith, are all keys that this book really addresses. Combine all of these together and you find yourself in relationship with your customers. Greater is the fact that you can actually begin to reproduce quality leaders.

This book touches my heart for people and helping them to employ daily their talents to assist people and bless their employers. I look forward to the day when more businesses, PNP's, companies, and organizations begin to apply the right tools for today's business problems. This is well written and contains many great truths...good job.

Rabitzin Jungreis is a modern day Deborah. She has so much wisdom and insight, but most of all, heart. Truly, that's what it takes to help, a large heart full of compassion, gratitude and the need to help. Her stories are a soothing balm of Gilead to my soul, giving so much inspiration to face the challenges of this world.
Every story is unique and gives us glimpses of the trauma of challenges in modern day marriges. Rabbizin is like a G-dly spiritual surgeon that goes in gently and removes the tumors and abcesses that form in a persons soul, then she gently patches them up and checks in until the person is ready to leave the hospital, cured! What a beracha she is, not only to these people in these stories, but to all who are fortunate enough to open her books and are allowed to drink from the fountain of her love and wisdom.
She is known as the Jewish Billy Graham, she is much more than that she is a healer, a tzadikka of our generation. I can't get enough of her wisdom, and am praying for a chance to meet her, so that I can tell her how much her words have helped me.
This is a must have book for couples, or singles, it doesn't matter. the price is insignificant when a true treasure is found.
Amonay Imachem
Shemuel s''t

I read and reread the stories and cried and cried! This book is for everyone, Jew and non-Jew alike.Read it! Learn how the laws of the Torah, G-d's laws, are for everyone! I just wish I could convey this message
to Rebbetzin Jungreis personally.

I loved this book and have recommended it to many people. This book is very practical and applicable. Everyone who reads it will find at least one thing to improve their marriage!

If there were ever a book of this genre that could be categorized as the magnum opus of marriage guides, this book would be it. In this warmly written, and most engrossing book, Rebbetzen Esther Jungreis drawns upon decades of experience counseling couples who find themselves struggling with marriage related issues as well as individuals who are seeking to find their soulmate and life partner.

Rebbetzen Jungreis' brilliant sage advice and words of guidance are predicated on the wisdom of the Torah, as she invokes the name and declares the praise of the most powerful and unifying force in any relationship, the Almighty G-d of Israel. As the architect of the universe and the creator of all life, G-d in His infinite wisdom gave us the ability to sanctify the marriage relationship, to transcend the mundane and the physical and to elevate ourselves to a level of holiness that is an essential ingredient to any successful and happy marriage. As the Rebbetzen explains, the words in Hebrew for a man and woman have the same letters, and these letters spell the word fire. Man and woman are analagous to two fires, both consuming each other. The Hebrew letter, Yud, which stands for the name of G-d must be included in the names of man and woman in order for stability, harmony, peace and genuine love to reign supreme.

Rebbetzen Jungreis speaks with the authority of a clinical psychologist and marriage counselor, while imbuing those she counsels with a solid spiritual foundation that will serve as an anchor in the turbulent waters of marriage conflicts. The values and ethos that she imparts are ones that will endure the multitude of challenges that are endemic to everyday life and that are particularly prounounced in marriage. Her compelling and emotionally charged writing style is infused with the greatest of respect for the intelligence and sensitivities of the reader, as she steers clear of preachy or didactic rhetoric, that is all to commonplace in the vast array of books of this kind.

This book is permeated with such a deep and intense level of warmth and love that can only be termed palpable, as its words reach deep into the heart and soul of the reader. Her words are real, as is she, and your soul will be lifted to the highest of levels. It is clear that Rebbetzen Jungreis is a scholar of Torah and her insights into the wellsprings of these sources smack of the kind of profundity and sheer genious, once only reserved for venerable sages.

This book is a must read for all those considering marriage and for those who are experiencing difficulties or problems in marital relationships. It is a book that will have far reaching effects for future generations and should be required reading in all secondary schools. This guide on marriage is timeless, as is the Torah that it is built on and its lessons will resonate for all of eternity.

I have read many marriage counseling kind of books, and I am going to say that this is the best one that I have read so far. Rebbetzin Jungreis is known for her timeless wisdom, her way with words, her way of talking straight to the heart, and in this book we see all those qualities in abundance.

"The Committed Marriage" is beautifully written, with much sound advice based on real-life experience. It is both inspiring and practical, in the sense that while she writes about the beauty of a Jewish marriage and how to maintain happiness and love throughout your life, she also brings many practical real life examples.

Everyone has their favorite parts to this book, mine are the parts where she discusses what "Rayim Ahuvim" - beloved friends - really mean, and the story with her daughter and the tickets. I was also very impressed with the many beautiful stories of her late husband, zt'l.

If you must read only one book on marriage - make this your book. It is the only book you will ever need.

I picked up this book after reading the book "Fiasco", a book critical of the U.S. actions in Iraq, after the author noted that officers in the U.S. Military are currently using this book as a learning tool text book. Gaulle was a French veteran of WWII, Indonesia and served as a UN observer in Greece during an insurgent attempt to remove the government. He makes it very clear that the counterinsurgent (the government) in charge must win the battle for the population and that the soldier has a much more complex multi-dimensional role in creating trust within the population, creating security while not being too autocratic. He also states that successful adaptive leaders should be granted more local control on the ground allowing greater interaction. The author uses examples of insurgents from Algeria, Greece, and China along with an emerging U.S. Vietnam war that is evolving by the time the book was completed in late 1863. Gaulle notes that geography is a great aid to insurgents along with sympathetic borders. He also notes the classic insurgent method of intimidation; kill local politicians and police to make a greater impact on the masses, something well reflected in Iraq. On the other hand, he demonstrates how the Chinese Nationals treated their prisoners well, obtaining potential recruits, and how the nationals, upon gaining a territory would have a support administration prepared to go right in and set up. The Chinese nationals' organization abilities virtually provide a blue print for the counterinsurgents to follow. Although the text is 40 years old, written during the ruptures of colonial control of third world countries, it still is applicable today in the Middle East and elsewhere as a similar if not more sophisticated warfare is fought by insurgents, particularly those well supported, hence the major problem. The book is written in brief text book style and is a read most appreciated by those with a military background. Those without military experience or a technical appreciation may find it a not very colorful read. The book is very direct in its brevity with just 99 pages but a very insightful book in that short space. I purchased the paperback new for $28.

A good basseline, insight into the subject of Counter Insurgency.
Counter Insurgency, and other related Counter Insuregency Books, journals, white papers, should be mandatory reading for: civilian, military, strategic planners, intelligence officers, Congress, think tanks executive managers and planners before they decide to "..cross The Rubicon..." "...or the Tiber Rivers..."

Book breaks down how to quelch a counterinsurgency. More people in the Pentagon and Washington need to read it.

David Galula's Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory & Practice is a classic. It is a classic in the sense that it is ... a work of enduring excellence ...an authoritative source [Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary]. I recommend this volume because it makes better sense of other books on intelligence and special operations, by serving as a metric for both policy and operational analysis.

Written almost as a `good news/bad news' aphorism, Galula concedes ..."Very little is offered beyond formulas - which are sound as far as they go - such as, `Intelligence is the key to the problem,' or `The support of the population must be won." P xii.

The essence of the text is clearly stated ..."to define the laws of counterrevolutionary warfare, to deduce from them its principles, and to outline the corresponding strategy and tactics." P xiii.

Galula begins by defining insurgency as ..."a protracted struggle conducted methodically, step by step, in order to attain specific intermediate objectives leading finally to the overthrow of the existing order ...it can no more be predicted than a revolution; its beginnings are so vague that to determine exactly when an insurgency starts is a difficult legal, political, and historical problem." P 5.

Vital decisions depend on the quality of the intelligence available to policy makers. Additionally, and possibly more importantly, intelligence must be evaluated and presented in terms of a practical application. Galula delivers on his promise, as Counterinsurgency Warfare systematically examines the theoretical i.e., strategic aspect of intelligence in terms of practical/tactical i.e., operational applications.

Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice is perhaps the best textbook on how to fight a guerilla war (to read about how to conduct a guerilla war read Mao Zedong's On Guerilla War or Alberto Bayo's 150 Questions for a Guerilla). David Galua wrote this book. He was a French military officer whose experience in Algeria (during its war of independence from 1954 to 1962) has shaped his views on how to fight an insurgency. As a result, he has written a book that is credible, effective, and given today's current events, very relevant.
This book serves as an effective teaching tool for anyone interested in understanding how guerilla war (including terrorism) can be subdued. It short, well written, and presented in a format that is easy for anyone to understand. This contrasts greatly with current military literature of today (including the upcoming US Army's FM 3-24, Counterinsurgency Operations which is, in my view, too big for a busy officer to read in a single day).
This book, along with Roger Trinquier's, Modern Warfare, should be included as part of every military officer's recommended reading list. Not only is this book thought provoking (i.e. in providing strategies in fighting insurgents), it is also relevant to our current struggle against international terrorism. This book should be treated as an important weapon in any warrior's arsenal.

When I decided to buy this book it was becaus I was already thinking of a career in social work. And, I must say that the book is very inspiring and insightful.

The stories come from different types of social workers, in different fields, under different circumstances, and really gives the reader a sense of what each worker goes through on a typical day.

It's also very true to the field. Since buying the book I have had the opportunity to work in social service, and the day-to0day events adn issues the workers deal with in the book are very realistic and honest.

It's definately a must-read for anyone thinking about the social work field, no matter what service or population you are thinking about working with.

I thought it was filled with useful information, considering the different fields described in each chapter. PERSONALLY, I would have liked to see even more examples, but if you're leaning towards the medical field in social work, I think this is a great way to get an idea as to what you will be dealing with.
I would recommend the book to anyone since it's always good to understand how varied the field of social work can be.

Days in the Lives of Social Workers: 54 Professionals Tell"Real-life" Stories From Social Work Practice is an absolutely must read for unexperienced social workers as for experienced social workers.
This book provides the unexperienced social worker with the duties and responsibilities that are expected of you in your chosen field of practice,as well as in other areas. It also provides the opportunity for you to judge for yourself whether you are performing duties that are expected of you in your specific practice, and allows you to compare what you are being asked to do, with what others are doing in the same practice area . Moreover, you will feel motivated to join with other associations, and to volunteer your services as a means for professional growth as you read how other social workers manage to include these activities in their days.
For the experienced social worker that might be considering changing from one specialty practice to another, this book will provide a feel for what you may encounter in your new social work job.

If you are looking for a book that gives you information about the various specialties in the social work profession, then this is a very good start. I was looking for that and now I have a much clearer view of what areas I may want to study and eventually work.

If you are thinking of pursuing a social work career, this is a VERY helpful book. REAL stories about what the jobs are like - and what jobs there are in social work. Reads very easily. Best book on the subject I have found so far.

Greg has spent a lot of time creating study ideas for sessions with disciples. This is a practical curriculum for disciplemaking involving engagement with scripture, discussion, and issues to pray for. It's a book I would recommend for people looking for study ideas.
-Dennis McCallum, author Organic Disciplemaking: Mentoring Others Into Spiritual Maturity And Leadership

Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:18-20 to go and make disciples of all nations. This book helps do just that. It guides a person through the process of becoming a mature disciple of Jesus Christ. More than that, it is helping create strong intimate relationships between people. This is something that disciples need to do but we are often "too busy" to do.

I have used Discipleship Essentials with two different triads over the past two years and found it to be wonderful and effective in deepening spiritual maturity.

I found this book to be very well thought out and written. It is an excellent tool for those looking to grow in their own personal discipleship and or to develop a discipleship program.

I've seen my students leaders barf on various kinds of discipleship "materials" over the years. This is the only discipleship "stuff" that they have really loved and been impressed by (re: because it's well written & and written at a college-level). I love it because it's lead foot is "making disciples" ...it's got the right DNA.

Daniel Curran (510) 290-8145 * [...]
The Bay Area Campus Ministry * Campus Crusade for Christ

If you are interested in becoming a Druid Revivalist or a member of the AODA this book is a must-read. If you are not sure which path you want to trod, this book will be very helpful in explaining just what exactly it means to be a Druid Revivalist. Remember, if Druid Reconstruction is your cup of tea, then forget about this book. The only reason I give it a 4 instead of a 5 is because the book can be a bit dry at times.

This book was quite useful into explaining, what it means to be a modern 'Druid'.Ross Nichols wrote the book,'The Book of Druidry',some thirty plus years ago.Eventhough Nichols' Druid book was interesting reading,Greer's book is one of the best modern intrepretations of Druidry around today.Greer's book is the best facilitative druid handbook for daily ritual and spiritual practices.In this age of fatalistic attitudes,this book is empowering and enriching for one's soul.When one accepts one's connection to Mother-Nature,then one can live a positive life rather than a self-destructive morose one.This is not a persiflage prattle on Druidism.It's a fresh serious introduction on what a real modern Druid believes,observes,connects and practices during the turning of the Earth's seasons.An excellent start for everyone earnest about being a modern Druid,honoring and sharing the surrounding all-powerful Mother-Nature.

Mr. Greer, once again, provides the reader with an in-depth look at Druidry as a way of life and a religion. His information comes from a long history within the path that he writes about. Excellent information, well thought out and well laid out.

The Druidry Handbook is a beginner's text for those interested in finding out more about Druidry (past and present) as well as those individuals who think they might want to become a Druid, either as a solitary or part of an organized study group. This book is divided into three parts.

Part one looks at the history of Druidry. I was quite impressed with this section as the author was not intimidated to discuss the lack of substantial resources about the Druids of ancient times nor did the author shy away from discussing the complexities associated with the Revival Druidry period. I was also pleased that the author looked to the Celtic myths for answers as many scholars tend to ignore these important resources completely.

Part two and three of this book look at specific aspects of Druidry. Part two introduces the reader to basic concepts such as the importance of triads in this belief system. Part three goes into more detail on general Druidic beliefs including a very good explanation of proposed calendar cycles and their associated ceremonies. The author also includes a very well thought out initiate program for those wanting to try on the Druid lifestyle.

This book is based on the Revival Druidry of the 18th & 19th centuries, including many of Iolo Morganwg's fraudulent inventions & the Albans as holidays (there's not much evidence that any but the Summer solstice were celebrated by the Celts.) Of course, the foreward by Philip Carr-Gomm is written in a way to romanticize Revival Druidry, but he has a clear agenda in doing so (to help sell books.) The author states that "ogham served as a magical alphabet," but this is nonsense. Most frequently, archaeological evidence of ogham writings tend toward mundania; boundary markers, gravestone inscriptions. Although there are some good things in the book, the title should have been "The Revival Druidry Handbook," in which case I wouldn't have purchased it.

I admit to more than a bit of bias since many of the authors are colleagues of mine; however I urge you to look at this book. It's the only one on the market, I believe, with diverse contributors and methodologies. The commonality among the authors is that they are all highly experienced and successful executive coaches, and I doubt that there's a "certified" coach among them. Some of these authors are also contributors to The Executive Coaching Handbook: Principles and Guidelines for a Successful Coaching Partnership, January 2004, third edition. It is written by The Executive Coaching Forum, (TECF) whose charter is to advance the highest standards and best practices of executive coaching with all members of the "coaching partnership" (Executives, Coaches, HR Professionals, and others interested in Executive Coaching). The Handbook is available to read or download at no cost at TECF's website: theexecutivecoachingforum.com

Executive Coaching: Practices & Perspectives, is an excellent and timely text consisting of 16 chapters written by 20 contributors, the editors also being contributors, providing a wide breadth of information and references. It provides a rare opportunity to shadow many experienced coaches from diverse backgrounds and learnings. I applaud the editors for what is a very successful attempt to weave many different "essays" into a coherent book. The writing styles and approaches are different for each of the chapters resulting in many practices and theories, and many modes of learning for the reader. Executive coaching is still a fairly new profession and this book provides a wide variety of perspectives not typically shared among peers.

Although titled Executive Coaching, it indirectly explores the diversity of individual and organizational learning and change with a keen appreciation for the complexities of the human mind. For executive coaching, as in organizational development consulting, one size does not fit all. The diversity of approaches from the respective authors reflects the strength of belief in their own methods when dealing with the complexity and diversity of the human mind; and reveals the many barriers to individual learning and ultimately organizational learning. In many ways the book is about organizational development and organizational learning brought to an individual level.

Most of the contributors have psychology backgrounds; however, the editors have made a good attempt to look at executive coaching from a variety of lenses, with a noticeable influence of Carl Jung and Robert Kegan. As an organizational development consultant and executive coach, I find some bias toward the need for a psychology or psychotherapy background in some of the chapters. Does one need a degree in psychology to have an understanding of a variety of perceptual views through intentional, behavioral, cultural, and social dimensions, for example? I don't believe so.

There are many issues that emerge when we have conversations at personal and sometimes intimate levels. Do we dare go where no non-psychotherapist has gone before? I believe the human psyche is much less fragile than most psychotherapists, and even psychologists, might have us believe. And as organizational change consultants, how much damage have we inflicted because we dared not to tread, or even look, in those heretofore-protected domains?

Where is the line drawn between learning and repair, or between personal growth and cure? The authors have drawn their lines and they are in different places. I do believe, when coaching Executives, it is essential to have a greater depth of knowledge and abilities as an observer and guide.

I believe executive coaching can increase the potential for profound change. Peter Senge, in his book The Dance of Change, describes profound change as "organizational change that combines inner shifts in people's values, aspirations, and behaviors with 'outer' shifts in processes, strategies, practices, and systems ... In profound change there is learning." (p 15) W. Edwards Deming said, "Nothing changes without personal transformation."

Executive coaching allows us to further shift the learning paradigms of our clients. We are beginning to apply to individuals what we have applied to organizations. Coaching appears to be the natural progression to double-loop learning at a personal level, in addition to the organizational level, and further progression to triple-loop learning. Double-loop learning is a concept developed by Chris Argyris and Donald Schon based upon the work of Gregory Bateson. The term "triple loop learning" was used by William N. Isaacs, in Taking Flight: Dialogue, Collective Thinking, and Organizational Learning. "Double-loop learning encourages learning for increasing effectiveness. Triple-loop learning is the learning that opens inquiry into underlying 'why's.' It is the learning that permits insight into the nature of paradigm itself, not merely an assessment of which paradigm is superior." Effective coaching includes the practice of Dialogue at a one-to-one level. This "third" level of learning can be called transformational learning. As such, this book could be about transformational learning.

A noticeably missing piece was a chapter on distinguishing coaching from therapy, and addressing some of the boundaries to be considered and what resources the executive coach should have available in assessing and dealing with those boundaries.

Another missing piece was the role our body plays. Recent studies suggest a more holistic approach is needed in our learning - the integration of language, emotions and the body. I am referring to more than the traditional concept of "body language." Albert Einstein said, "My primary process of perceiving is muscular and visual." Richard Heckler, a psychologist and director of the Rancho-Strozzi Institute, says in his book The Anatomy of Change, "An education that connects us with our body would teach us the difference between what we are experiencing and what we are thinking and fantasizing about." (p 12)

Full awareness goes beyond what we are thinking. The body can reflect what we are thinking and feeling and the body can support what we desire to think and feel. Stuart Heller, mathematician, operations researcher, and psychologist, says in his book Retooling on the Run, "To make a change in any part of you, you have to change all of you." (p 10) "Your results are a function of the way you organize and use yourself. By studying your patterns of reaction, belief, tension, feelings, and posture, you learn how you both hinder and help yourself." (p 17)

I highly recommend this book to anyone involved with coaching and executive development. In addition, it offers many insights to any organizational change consultant wishing to search deeper in the psyche of an organization. Many organizations, and individuals, are struggling to find ways of breaking free of traditional thinking and modes of operation to enhance continuous learning. At a minimum, these insights may help forge better partnerships with clients and help facilitate greater awareness, reflection, and ultimately learning.

This book really is what books on coaching should be. Solid, theoretically-based and applicable. Beats most of the other executive coaching books hands down. One of the best books on coaching around.

Organizational consultants Catherine Fitzgerald and Jennifer Garvey Berger offer a collection of articles by 16 executive coaches, including themselves. The essays cover executive coaching perspectives, practices and management. This book examines the range of managerial and psychological approaches shaping this emerging field. These expert articles provide a diverse overview, varying in complexity, practicality and therapeutic philosophies. The hazard of anthologies is the mix of voices, so there is some blurring between what is coaching and what is therapy, and some drift about exactly who is being spoken to, the coach, the manager or the executive. The book seems to focus primarily on the analytical, psychological and tactical tasks of coaches. However, we from getAbstract suggest that if you are hiring a coach for yourself or your organization, you may find this very practical in understanding what coaches do and in being sure you select a good one.

The editors, Catherine Fitzgerald and Jennifer Garvey Berger, came up with a high quality, lucid and readable book which is a diverse collection of contributions from an elite group of experienced and knowledgeable executive coaches. I was excited to go through the different perspectives and methodologies which should appeal to a wide readership.

Those wishing to develop their coaching skills will find the book fascinating and enlightening. I believe that this is one of the most important coaching related books on the market.

The book is excellent reading for coaches, executives, human resource professionals, trainers, consultants and others with an interest in executive coaching.

The Face of God, by Bill Meyers, provides an insightful metaphor of how Christ's death and resurrection free us from the law in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Simultaneously, the reader is thrusted into the lives of two very similar men: a Christian pastor, and an important Islamic leader. The setting for this book is the Middle East, and it's fast-paced and action-packed! I highly recommend it for Christians; Mr. Meyers offers information about how the Muslims are a moral and a faithful people. I, also, highly recommend this book to Muslims.

I'm a fan of Bill Myers work and have been since "Blood of Heaven". This one slipped by me somehow and when I saw it I immediately got it. While the plot is somewhat tight for the most part, I do have some problems with parts of it. For one thing, the thought of a terrorist who will kill someone very close to him (read the book to find out) shouldn't have any qualms about killing millions of others. So why is he so intent on the stones? But the most annoying part of the book is the fact that people call each other by their names so much that it gets old. The minute anything happens, they're all screaming each other's names in the midst of the chaos until you finally just want them to shut up and get on with it. For the first-time emergency, we can live with it...but when something happens every few chapters, you've got to have a break! "Daniel!" "Tyler!" "Helen!" "Tyler!" "Daniel!" "Dad!" "Helen!" "Tyler!" Give me a break! Otherwise, a good story...though not up to the same level as "Threshold" or "Blood of Heaven" (definitely better than "Eli" though). Recommended.

This book arrived with the publisher's sticker on it stating: "We guarantee you'll love the book, or it's FREE." It's a no-risk guarantee, because I can't imagine anyone's not loving this great adventure story written from a Christian perspective. The plot is complex and very well executed. The characters come alive--it's very easy to identify with them. It's just a tad far-fetched, but hey--it's FICTION. If you have a modicum of imagination and a love for adventure, this is for you. One more thing...as a Catholic I enjoy Myers' Christian slant, but I truly believe this books transcends the Christian fiction genre and can appeal to anyone and everyone. Also, I noticed some reviewers referred to the violent content. For anyone who reads adventure stories, this book is pretty gentle in my view when it comes to violence. I heartily recommend it as one of Myers' best!

This book provides more than just excitement, intrigue and facinating interply between the characters. This book also offers the reader some incredible insights into the Muslim religion, as well as insights into the weakness in the Christian Church. A must-read for anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of our world today!

The Face of God is a gripping look into grief, fatherhood, and the synergies/differences between Christianity and Islam, all masterfully rendered by an author who has learned to distinguish shades of gray. Bill Myers is not a writer who leans on the supernatural. Rather, he is one of those rare individuals who understands that everything is spiritual, and that the physical universe enveloping us is actually the waiting-room for Eternity. If you're fond of story, fine writing, well-told relationships, and writers who get the facts straight (and who is not fond of those things?) then you absolutely have to buy this book.