People Books

Voices from Vietnam is a brilliant and riveting collection of images and essays that brought the Vietnam war alive to someone who was born at its conclusion. It is a must-read for anyone who served in the war or had loved ones who did. As the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, the stories in this book have been instrumental in helping me to understand some of the things my father experienced as a soldier in this war. This compelling book shares stories from every possible perspective, yet the themes of pain, suffering, survival and triumph are very much the same. This is a very personal, very human look at the affects of war. I highly recommend it as a tool for healing and for understanding.

The author is gifted with both lens and pen...the vivid photos coupled with poignant stories drags the reader through a twisting maze of emotions.
I believe that this is one of the very best books concerning a generation that is still trying to find it's way or perhaps come to terms with themselves...so many stories, so many unanswered questions....so much pain...so much heartbreak...so many tears.
Each story is filled with a vast spectrum of emotions.
Charlene Edwards is simply gifted...I can say no more to describe her talent.
I am unable to add more for fear of becoming redundant...I lack the words to offer a review that is worthy. I can only say that 5 stars is inadequet.
Eddie Delezen..author of...
Eye of the Tiger
Thoughts Etched in Jade
Red Plateau

Even if you couldn't read the words, the stunning photographs alone in this work would reveal the depth and range of emotion endured by everyone touched by the Vietnam conflict. Each personal vignette carries a similar theme - why were we there, how did the atrocities of the war effect me, where am I today? Sadly, there are more tragedies than triumphs, as with all wars, but so poignantly true in this one. Yet, you must go back with these people, imagine what it was like for them, remember how you experienced those times, and hopefully emerge with a compassionate understanding of what it all meant.

There are other books out there titled Voices from Vietnam, but Ms. Edwards has listened to these particular voices and played them back as a ringing chorus that will move you to forgive but never forget the victims on both sides of this war.

Voices From Vietnam was written by someone who was very young when this war took place, but who was drawn to it and remained dedicated to the understanding of it for the rest of her life.This book is very special because it humanizes both sides and helps us to realize that it was a tragic mistake from the very beginning. Misguided but well-meaning Americans went into the abyss that was left behind by the French colonizers.The people of Vietnam were devastated by over 11 long years of fighting with the Americans .The most powerful nation in the world could not ultimately overpower the determination and tremendous courage of this tiny and poor country.One of the greatest and most profound lessons as demonstrated in this book is that the Vietnamese have forgiven us for the utter decimation of their country and are willing to help us heal the terrible wounds inflicted on both sides.The author introduces us to many people and their stories and shows us that it is possible to embrace your former enemies and work together towards a better future for all.For many Vietnamese the legacy of the war is saddness-the loss of time and place ,of family and friends ,of youth and innocence. If you turn the coin over you find once-young Americans burdened with those same loses.In the end we are a mirror image of each other. Perhaps we will never be able to fully make sense of what we endured on both sides for eleven years.The Vietnamese know they won the war but there was no real winner.The author shows us some of these people and how they have rebuilt their country and extended a hand to us in forgivness and friendship.The many beautiful photographs and interviews tell this story perfectly and for every one of us to understand perfectly.This is an outstanding testimony to the good we all have in us-if only we would try to remember it.

Charlene Edwards has put together a wonderfully deverse and mosaic puzzle that refects the human side of the Vietnam War. She has captured the spiritual and emotional energies of those she interviewed and photographed in her book. The book not only has wonderful photos but the text bleeds with heart felt stories.

Her 10 year quest to share the feelings and images of those personal experiences was a gift to the rest of us. I found myself moved to tears at times, by the images and stories she has introduced us to in her book. I am richer for having had the experience of reading this book.

You should read Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner and it is historical fiction. The Muldie boys and their dad were going to the West. They came to Kentucky to make their wood house. In Kentucky, it was a free land. One day the Muldie boys' dad went to find a new place to build a new house. It is a good book because the Muldie boys try to find their dad. It makes me feel very happy to read the book because it was historical fiction. I learned about the Homestead Act and I learned that you can help each other.

This was the first chapter book I ever read by myself. It was a great adventure. It is about a family of black pioneers. I was sad in the beginning when I read that the Muldie boys' Mom had died on their way west. When they made their first friend out west, and learned to make a dugout, the story began to get exciting. My favorite part was when they made friends with a group of Native Americans. Later, the three Muldie boys traveled over a hundred miles on their own to find their father on his new homestead. I was thrilled to read on the back page that my first reading adventure was based on a true story. I would recommend this adventure to any new reader.

This novel is about an African American family who moves from Kentucky to Nicodemus, Kansas during the time of westward expansion. The father left his sons in Nicodemus, while he went on to find a place for them to settle, the children followed. The family has a positive encounter with Native Americans, who give them food during the harsh winter. The family experiences a prairie fire, wild animals. This easy-to-read yet adventurous story about boys of various ages would work well with the informational book about Nicodemus.

The main idea of Wagon Wheels by Barbara Brenner is how the Muldie boys survived when their father went to find free land. The book is historical fiction. The Muldie boys went to look for their father because their dad went to find a place to live better. The important events are that the Muldie boys and their father went to find free land. The Indians helped the Muldie boys by giving them food to eat. I like the book because it was interesting. It was based on a true story. It was good and made me want to read it again. I learned that families help each other when they have a problem.

Another great offering from the "I Can Read Book" series. This book is also a Reading Rainbow Book, and it is a true story!

My kids loved the fact this amazing little story about black pioneers in 1878 is true. Considering that I used to have qualms leaving them alone in the house while I went to our mailbox at the end of our pipestem, they find it fascinating that three boys (8, 11, and 3) were left alone while their father went further west to find a good piece of land to settle. Then he sends a letter with a map and tells them to come find him 150 miles away - which they do. Simply amazing.

Straightforward writing, simple sentences, my 1st and 2nd graders loved it.

It is rare to have someone write their personal adventure book well enough to really be interesting but Helen Thayer reaches that goal admirably. Walking the Gobi if a fascinating read as she details her and her husband's experiences arranging and then completing this trip. One of the things that makes the book so interesting is her ability to write in a style that draws the reader into the experience as a friend. Likewise, her stories of interaction with nomads and border agents are at times very personal and at other times scary. Through her writing you feel her compassion as well as her fears. Walking the Gobi is a fascinating trip and one not to be missed by those with an inquisitive personality.

Excellent! Just an Excellent read. I had read Helen's first book of her solo trek to the Polar North Pole and at that time was in awe of her determination and ability to overcome difficult and dangerous odds. I found this adventure tale even more impressive. Helen starts this trek out with an injured hip and knee from an accident she has just before the trip, but was determined to go ahead with the journey anyway. How this woman walked across the entire length of the Gobi with this injury still amazes me. The pain and suffering she must have endured is beyond unthinkable. I found this story very interesting in so many ways. I learned so much about the ecosystem, the climate, the animals and of the wonderful Mongolian people they encountered along the way. The Mongolian culture was fascinating, the people delightfully friendly and hospitable to both Helen and her husband. The desert trek was grueling but in many ways gorgeous, peaceful, serene and yes ..scary too. If you are a fan of adventure travel narratives, and have read Helen's other books, you will love this and will find you cant put it down as you follow her up, down, and over each sand dune, mile after mile after mile. You will fall in love with the crazy and often persnickety camels that lead their way, you will find yourself extremely thirsty when the two travelers encounter unbearable days of intense heat, you will feel cold when they experience frost in the evenings, and you will at times wonder as you turn each page if they will survive, feeling their fear of death as they walk forward day after day, week after week, feeling every grain of sand invading their pores to the point of suffocation. If you have read Michael Asher's book on his trek across the Sahara, or Charles Blackmore's riveting account of his crossing of the Taklamakan desert of China, then this story is right up your alley.

Walking the Gobi by Helen Thayer

This book is an enthralling account of the fulfilling of a lifelong dream to cross the Gobi desert.

This book relates the various stories of the adventure, however it was the introduction that compelled me to read the entire book. I had selected this book by accident not sure I wanted to read about the activities of a 63 year old woman and her 74 year old husband. After reading the introduction, I was hooked and needed to read on. I thought how incredible the rest of the book must be if their 1500 mile trek through Death Valley and 4000 mile trek across the Sahara were mentioned in a single paragraph under the title of "Preparations", and then knowing that their accident 9 months before their planned departure, which needed two paragraphs to barely mention their various torn ligaments and muscles, ruptures and bruises, didn't keep keep them from their attempt.

Helen Thayer helps us feel the pain, the thirst, and the emotional highs and lows of their journey not only to complete the trek, but even to just survive it. However I think she is at her best when she is describing the many encounters they have with the Mongolian people, from officials to nomads. My favorite passage is when she describes an interrogation when they are imprisoned as suspected smugglers. She becomes irritated after being threatened with being shot and this leads to her chastising the officials with being disrespectful to their elders and shaming them for their rudeness. This description filled me with wonder and admiration for the sheer spunk and determination of this amazing woman.

Read this book if you want to read about an incredible adventure. Be prepared if this book leads you to dream bigger dreams, and leads you also to question any misconceptions you have about the life you can choose to live in your senior years.

I want to invite Helen Thayer over to dinner. Mainly I want to hear her stories again, and more of them. As soon as I closed Walking the Gobi and set it down on my kitchen table, I felt at the same time winded and awed, but hungry for more.

If you're reading this review, I'm sure you've read the synopsis: two people over age 60 decide to walk across 1500 miles of one of the least-studied deserts in the world. And they do it in the summer.

When Helen Thayer sat down to write this real-life adventure story, she must have known that she had something good. After all, the idea itself is impressive; it tugs at the ear and challenges the imagination. But Thayer does much more in Walking the Gobi than recount a long trek in a string of stories or patronize the reader by giving only summary and analysis of the journey's meaning.

Thayer's descriptions are careful and organized, educated and intuitive. She gives us the gift of recreating each day so we can experience them with her. Each day is numbered and recorded with useful detail- pointing out the unique moments that set it apart from the rest and reinforcing the monotonous heat, wind, and regional dangers that made the journey long and at times overwhelming.

Helen Thayer accomplished a truly great feat when she crossed the Gobi, but what's even better is that she wrote a book about it.

Happy adventuring!

Modern day adventurers do exist. This is the first thing the reader will realize wehn reading "Walking the Gobi" by Helen Thayer. Ms. Thayer brings the reader with us as she traverses one of the most dangerous places on earth, the Gobi desert. It details a journey she and her husband made across the Gobi desert. From page one, I could not really put the book down. With her we meet Mongolian tribesman, smugglers along the Chinease border, rare Gobi bears, desert scorpions and the occasional Mongolian bureaucrat. Throughout, Ms. Thayer never lets the reader forget how truly amazing and beautiful this part of the world is. Any expedition like this would be a challenge for any healthy individual, but Ms. Thayer manages her journey with an injured leg throghout most of the book. Through sheer mental fortitude Ms. Thayer wills herself to complete her journey across one of the most hostile environments on earth, on step at a time. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys the spirit of adventure.

I've never read a book with so much substance, creativity, imagination, innocence and passion; so much so that I found my self re-reading some passages because I had to, to absorb it all -- the passion, the leaps of imagination, the super creativity of a genius grade brain, and the innovation of metaphors. The photographs play the same role as a nice bottle of wine accompanying a wonderful cuisine, it make it all flow even smoother.

I could not believe how good and hilarious was I was reading. Kalpanik made me not only feel, but also think and smile. Kalpanik has a curious mix of making complex concepts simple and make us live his life and experiences, make us laugh and yet be inspirational.

This book is a collection of three stories, accompanied with lot of professional grade photographs and covers three places--Davis (a small town near Sacramento), San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego. it also covers three different phases in his life.

He is able to sprinkle the description of these places and phases with a lot of humor, making you smile, laugh, guffaw, chuckle, snicker, giggle and crackup.

The First part is at University of California at Davis, which captures the unique experiences of a young man first time in a new country where he is a foreigner and falls in love, written when the author was 21.

The second part is fast forward to 12-15 years later by which time the author has firmly established in the Technology industry and is a Vice President of Technology in a Silicon Valley startup .He is lot more confident and self assured by then. The story humorously covers the life of a technology leader leading a team working at the cutting edge of innovation.

The third part is another 5-8 years later when the author has moved to San Diego and covers his family, including two lovely daughters. They get caught in the infamous wild fires of San Diego.

In all three parts, the author skillfully combines the colorful, vivid words with equally vivid photographs.

His journey is one of hopes and ambitions, of hard work and courage required to realizing those ambitions and tremendous power and insight. It is thoughtful, and yet he is able to infuse it with his humor very naturally!

A good read! Extremely well written and very thoughtful.

Kalpanik's style is fresh, unique, funny (in a dignified way), vivid and clever. For example, the author successfully anthropomorphizes the state of California! While I have not read another of his other books - I look forward to discovering them in the near future

Being an immigrant myself, I read it with the occasional tear in the eye and several bouts of goosebumps. Words are not enough to describe the feelings of transcendence, enlightenment and plain joy I experienced read this narrative.

Definitely a Must Read!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R333AIEHUTY4IO Writer is a risk taker, who is able to overcome being a foreign born, accented and is still able to assimilate at different places and befriend natives.

The book starts as a sweet story of a foreign born student who is struggling to adapt to a new culture, missing home and trying to find a balance between the demands of his academic life, and who falls in love. This part of the book shows us Kalpanik as a vulnerable foreign born student, a young person. This beginning provides a good background, and serves as a contrast to the rest of the book, wher we see Kalpanik as an confident executive with a carefree attitude.

Kalpanik is an amazing writer with extraordinarily talent for combining simplicity with complexity and sophistication, writing thoughtful and meaningful material into a book which still comes out as light reading!

The directions are so clear that this can easily be a first cookbook for young marrieds or students living away from home for the first time. To view some sample recipes, go to [website]

The book is MUCH more than I expected when I ordered it because of a printed explanation its contents. It seemed possibly appropriate for some of the "well aged" members of my Sunday School class in need of such things. But the idea of showing, explaining, and providing information about where to buy the tableware (to me unknown) so useful to older people was an unexpected bonus. In addition, having family experience with some of the problems of the well aged, I treasure the variety of recipes given. Now I have found out that the author targeted mainly baby-boomers, who might well use it in connection with parents and grandparents. I think it has universal appeal. Right on!

Anyone caring for an elderly person should be required to read this and refer to it often. Many older persons have very little left but their dignity - let's help preserve that. Wonderful ideas on special utensils for older people who have trouble handling regular silverware and china. Easy to follow recipes and special tips make this a "must have" for caregivers.

Ginny Gordon Walters has assembled a collection of tasteful and tasty recipes that my 79 year-old mother finds nutritional and easy to prepare; whether cooking for just herself or for a family gathering. The general tips, along with the graphics of special utensils, I found very helpful in trying to provide mom with cookware that can make things a bit easier on her arthritic hands. Ms. Walters' brief comments before each recipe seem indicative of someone who has experienced the ways in which this information can help our older generation maintain their quality of life. A valuable tool for our parents to continue to enjoy their independence!

This beautiful and thoughful cook book offers a wonderful selection of "comfort" foods with high nutritional value for the elderly and/or disabled person. Since nutrition is a key factor in health and longevity, Walters has highlighted the needs for certain foods and collected easy-to-make recipes focusing on those needs. In addition, the Introduction and Tableware sections have valuable and innovative tips for those caring for the elderly. I highly recommend this book!

I inherited this book from my recently deceased father (a retired P&G officer), and will soon pass it to my son to help guide him in his beginning business career. Good stuff. I remember the paper products wars in which my father engaged and Mr. Pepper recollects, and have met John and his wife (oddly, not through a company connection). We have little time to "make a difference," as my father drilled into my head, and that drive is part of the P&G tradition Mr. Pepper articulates so well here. What you do matters - a lot - and service can wear many faces. This book might be a little dry reading in parts for those not in the P&G loop (although no more than any general business text), but the principles are nonetheless timeless, and well suitable for digestion by any executive, business person, - or worker bee (like me!) for that matter.

He asked ME what I wanted him to talk about. I sat in awe and fumbled for words. He just wrote a book. I figured I'd point him to the chapter I wanted him to explore with us and then let him run with it. But he sat there in the meeting room of the Freedom Center with his chin on his hand, gazing at me with the most friendly, down-to-earth, and quizzical stare. Parity. His book is personal. He is personal. What else should I have expected when I asked him to speak to recruits at the University of Cincinnati? Personal and powerful. Ordinary and yet extraordinary.

This is no doubt one of the best business book I've read this year. Even after reading the first chapter, I knew I had to give it 5 stars.

John Pepper is the ex-CEO of P&G from 1995 to 1999. He is now the chairman of the board at Walt Disney Company and a CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

As you can see from the cover, the book talks on service, leadership, people and values. Throughout the book, you'll be be presented with never ending life experiences from John Pepper over his 40 over years of service in P&G.

The book is divided into three parts, Foundations for Success, Staying in the Lead and How We Live Our Lives.

In the first part, he talked on the principles behind brand building. He drew on numerous examples to make his point.

For the second part, he touched on how P&G was involved in community building and the important role it played for the company.

In the last part, it was about management in general and how he lead his company and what he learned during the years at P&G.

Even though you may not have worked for P&G, after reading the book, you will have a very thorough understanding of the guiding principles of P&G.

John Pepper has produced a genuine and candid work. His true colors shine through, forcing the reader to care about him and grow a respect based on more than just his business achievements. His passion for the community and doing right promote a fresh optimism for 'Corporate America'.

In this long and winding walk thru the modern history of P&G, via the personal learnings of life-long P&G executive John Pepper, the reader is given a glimpse of the Proctor & Gamble Way - the mutual interdependency of personal and business interests.

While the book is presented as a three part discussion of...
* How companies succeed - by creating and sustaining leadership brands, letting the consumer decide, and going for big wins; all of which is primarily a marketing story
* How companies can stay in the lead - by creating organizational qualities; thru values, practices and relationships that support the brands and develop a vibrant community with employees.
* How we live our lives - through intimacy with consumers, competitors and colleagues that builds and sustains passionate ownership amidst a culture of trust and high expectations.
..., it really is an integrated picture of how P&G's guiding purpose, principles and values work to support its position as one of best, if not the leading consumer products company in the world.

Although the book is filled with P&G stories to demonstrate and emphasize its messages, it is not a fast or simple read. It reads a bit like the memoirs of John Pepper, who comes across as a person of integrity, demonstrating P&G's desired 'passion for winning', while showing his learning and caring aspirations. The later is best shown thru a quote of his favorite text of the Talmud: "You are not required to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it." I found the book interesting, but beyond recommending it to P&G employees or alumni and business school graduates interested in working for P&G, I am not sure of just who else might find it interesting.

Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection"

My dad bought me this book after hearing about it on National Public Radio and, at first, I was a bit skeptical.
I mean, who really wants to waste time reading another boring 'How to' book on how to get a cool job?

But really, this book isn't like that at all.
It's factual of course, so you don't have to worry about how much of it is just hot air.
But it's also very comical, interesting, and respectfully realistic.
Not a candy-coater, but in no ways a dream crusher.

What more could you ask for <3?

I don't like bad language but like what this book has to offer. I purchased it for my daughter who is embarking on her new career after college. This is a good read.

Most career books I've read try to herd us into the same jobs without thinking out of the box. There are tons of other interesting, fun and well paying jobs out there that rarely seem to get mentioned. This book lists quite a few examples. It was a blast to read. It really helps expand your thinking and it makes the thought of a career change actually exciting!! And the income figures given are realistic too. Most other career books are way too low for whatever reason.

A great book and a great read!!

I was expecting this to be a lot more in-depth than it actually was. Though it profiled a lot of careers, so many classic ones were missing (lawyer and doctor for example). While it was nice to get an example schedule and salary, I wish there were more tips for achieving the jobs examined.

This book is great! It really opened my eyes to a lot of careers I never would have even heard of.

I bought this book 12 years ago, but was so crushed at the time by the idea of having failed that I couldn't pick it up to read it. Now that I have, it's been a huge blessing.

Carole Hyatt and Linda Gottlieb have written one of the most healing books I've ever read -- period. Anyone who thinks failure is a permanent condition should read this book.When Smart People Fail: Rebuilding Yourself for Success

I work as a Business Coach and Life Coach and refer clients to this book regularly. This is an older book, originally published in 1987, but its message is timeless. The authors talk about success and failure in a unique and thought-provoking way. Their primary point is that failure is a larger concern for Americans than for people in other cultures, that we are the most success-oriented people in the world. Americans don't seem to have the ability to distinguish between their judgment of events and the events themselves. We judge our lives and careers based on perceived success or failure whereas people in other cultures tend to gain a sense of self from their families or themselves.

I found this book to be compelling and useful in the context of both business and personal well-being. Understanding the historical and social aspects of the concept of failure is helpful, as is considering the two types of failure they identify: Overt failure (e.g. getting fired) and hidden failure (e.g. looking successful on the outside but feeling disappointed in oneself and like a failure inside). The book guides the reader through the process of learning from mistakes and reinterpreting the failure, not only into a learning experience but also into future success. I found this book to be both informative and practical. The subject of failure holds such taboo in our culture and yet anyone who takes risks in life will fail at some point. I think it makes sense to study the subject and emulate what the authors teach, accepting and learning from everything life's rich pageant has to offer us-Lorna Kellogg

This book was really eye-opening. The book was so encouraging. I believe this book will help many people.

I picked up this book after being let go from a F50 company late last year, and it has been a lifesaver as I've navigated unfamiliar territory. It lays out the stages most people experience when they've been fired, downsized, or eliminated -- shock, fear, anger & blame, shame, and despair. It addresses how failure changes the balance of power in a relationship, and how it affects men and women differently. It then moves to how we reinvent ourselves -- identifying the cause of failure, reinterpreting the event, relabeling yourself, and getting unstuck. There are numerous stories, including the authors' own, about failing and ultimately coming back better and stronger. One quote especially resonated with me: David Brown (he produced The Sting and Jaws, among other Hollywood blockbusters) was fired three times from top jobs. "Each time, [he] was stunned. And each time he never stopped to analyze what had caused him to be fired in the first place. Only after the third time did he begin to examine his working behavior. Why was he always running after corporate jobs...when in the end they held neither safety nor a degree of control over one's fate?" Whether you feel that corporate life is truly your calling, or you yearn for something different, this book can help you push past self-imposed limitations and re-invent your career in a unique and satisfying way.

Failure among the ambitious, upwardly mobile, educated and intelligent of our modern, industrialized society often comes across as being more devastating, more defining, and more frightening than it actually is. What in actuality defines us is not the number of our failures, but how we deal with our failure, how we look upon it, and most importantly, how we either use our failure or allow our failures to define us.

Hyatt and Gottlieb have written an excellent text on professional/career failure. The authors start the book by imparting intrepid examples both personal and private, of the emotional processes associated with failure. They accurately describe (often in painful and excruciating detail) the feelings of fear, isolation, shame and remorse associated with losing a job, status, money or some combination of the three. One can not only relate to the loss of purpose, the punctured egos, and the declining sense of self of those who have failed professionally, but also can actually feel as if it is happening to him or her- for it at some point has happened to him or her. They emphatically stress that career failure is something that eventually touches every professional, in some cases sooner, and in others, later. In this way, they show that failure has no prejudices, and everyone is a card-carrying member of this club, whether they realize it or not. As such, in dealing with failure, it is extremely important for the individual to realize that he or she is not alone in the experience, even if our greater society compels us to put up a strong front and pretend that nothing is really wrong. In order to healthily deal with failure, the authors emphasize the importance of understanding the meaning of failure in both the personal and the societal context, and elaborate upon how the feelings associated with failure unfold in the individual. Many people define themselves based on their occupation, their professional affiliation, or their status in life, and it comes as no surprise that these are the people hardest hit by career failure. Those of us who have cultivated other sides of our personality, such as those of us who live for our weekend hobbies, or those of us that are family or community oriented, tend to handle career failure much better, and can even take it in stride. Although many readers and those who have experienced failure or are currently experiencing failure may not believe it, failure actually gives people options, which the authors not only demonstrate, but also help the reader identify and ultimately take advantage of in later chapters.

In the first part of the book, one chapter each is devoted to defining the characteristics of failure at the level of the individual and the society, dealing with the feelings, which occur in stages, associated with failure, how our career failures can affect those closest to us, and how men and women respond to career failure. The second part of the book focuses on taking failure in stride, and offers a comprehensive strategy for personal reinvention after suffering a career failure. Arguably the most important part of the book, this section devotes one comprehensive chapter to each of the following topics: discovering why one has failed, gleaning from the failure some positive knowledge by re-interpreting the events leading up to the failure, recognizing and casting off old and inappropriate labels and finding new ones, expanding one's career choices, and making the transition from the old professional to the new, centered and focused individual. The authors also include in this section of the book a bonus chapter that showcases two successfully reinvented individuals, and elaborates upon the nature of their failure, how they dealt with failure, and the process of their reinvention. Each chapter in the second part of the book provides the reader with powerful tactics to build a new, improved person from career failure, and allows one to rise triumphantly out of the ashes of failure, much like the proverbial phoenix. The third and final part of the book, entitled `Towards Real Success', helps the reader to win the internal battle associated with failure. While the second part of the book helps to outwardly reinvent the individual for career success, the final section of the book helps the individual to cultivate a new perspective, a new outlook- on career failure. This part of the book encourages the reader to look upon failure as a learning experience, and as such, helps one to regard failure as a temporary setback that one can learn from.

The authors have written a truly empowering book, one that entrepreneurs and professionals must read and keep alongside all the other books on career and entrepreneurial success, as there inevitably will be one or more notable, spectacular and in some cases unfortunately public failures on the path to a successful career journey. In the end, I can only say that there is no shame in taking a risk, giving one's all, and failing, and I wholeheartedly believe that true shame results from failing to try, failing to risk, fearing change, and failing to grow. These, I truly believe, are the things that comprise the regrets in one's life.

Religious activities are a means to the ends of experiencing a more meaningful life. But this is often not the case. Church can become just another place to seek comfort and belonging rather than empowerment.

Despite decades spent within the halls of institutional Christianity, this author has a passion to change all that. He can be described as in the clergy, but not of the clergy. His message is that ordinary people can pursue profound mission work in the pathways of daily life.

Anyone yearning for spiritual growth and better relationships in their lives could benefit from this book. Although the book is clearly written for church leaders, I think that the non-church going crowd known as "seekers" might benefit from it as well.

Although you have to wade through some church theology (ugh!) to get to it, this book has simple suggestions to improve one's sense of purpose and the quality of relationships. It is applied, not preachy, and much more substantive than some of the "spiritual guru" offerings that abound today.

The author suggests that you sit down and list the six main communities (mission fields) that you interact with in daily life: home, work, local community, wider world, leisure, church (non-church goers could substitute something else here). Then he provides 7 questions to ask yourself about each of these mission fields.

Refreshingly, there are many real-life stories provided, showing how other people have utilized the author's approach and questions to improve their lives, as well as the lives of others around them. You meet a working mother trying to find quiet time in her busy schedule, a father who wants to keep peace in his family, an employee who wants to speak up at work.

Most notably, the author even shares his struggles in trying to cope with a tendency towards defensiveness with his wife and others.

The last section of the book provides thoughtful suggestions for church leaders to develop a culture that would empower the laity to see themselves as missionaries in daily life.

The author's own passionate effort to transform people's lives and institutionalized religion is perhaps the best proof that his simple, powerful approach works.

I found Wayne Schwab's book to be one of thoughtful inspiration. Too often we assume it's the clergy's 'job' to set us on the right path in living a godly life -- yet Schwab shows us how that responsibility is ours. His tone is conversational and informative, and his book is peppered with lots of personal stories, so you can really relate to what he's saying on a visceral level. A much needed book for our times!

Most lay and clergy in my experience do not have my dream of our functions in Christ's world: Christ's people doing His work in the world with the church as support and encouragement for His people in that work. At last, there is book/manual that describes inspiring laity who are living that dream and a road map for how that dream can be realized for all with a transformation in the institution, the Church. Schwab has written a book for both the laity and the clergy, reaching both with clarity and practicality.

In 40 years as an Episcopalian and 6 years on a Diocesan Commission on Ministry and 3 years as Chair of the Commission on the Ministry of the Laity, my frustration has been enormous, because my dream was so far from what was happening in the Church . Now, there is hope at last!!!

As an Episcopal clergyperson who has worked for Total Ministry for three decades, I applaud this book for introducing a paradigm change in the ongoing discussion.It gives practical, step-by-step suggestions of how to re-structure congregational life so as to support each member's "Monday Ministries". This approach gives the reader new energy to try out Schwab's plan.

The emphasis of this book on all Christians as "missionaries" with a mission in life is very important, and the stories help bring home that reality and opportunity for others. I particularly appreciated the stress on the manner in which congregations can help nurture and strengthen Christians for their "offices" - for their "daily arenas" of missionary activities.
Frederick H. Borsch, Interim Dean of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Retired Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

Where will Nana go next is sheer fun! It gives kids (and adults) the idea that travel and adventure is fun... but there's no place like home. Showed it to a couple of 8-year-old girls and they loved it.

Where Will Nana Go Next lends me the opportunity to share new and exciting adventures that Nana takes with my five year old son. The maps shown helps place him there in his mind. What an energetic trip.

The adventures, people and locations Nana experiences on her trips makes me want to go too! The illustrations are beautifully done and imaginatively laid out. This is not your average children's book! My kids were facinated by the different places Nana travels to and I loved the maps showing their locations. This book is a great addition any child's library. Grandparents need a copy too!

This is a great book for early readers! It teaches geography in a fun, painless way, with lyrical prose, and colorful, bright pictures. Children will love it. Highly recommended for Kindergarten and First Grade teachers.

Where Will Nana Go Next? is a fun book that tells the story of Nana's trips around the USA (and the world!) in her motorhome. The sentiment is warm and the illustrations are fantastic--not to mention educational. While following the travel's of Nana, a typical "Grandparent on the road", children will also be learning a bit of geography as the book "maps out" Nana's trip. Nana is one busy traveler! She's found surfing in Southern California, on safari in Africa, even climbing Mt. Rushmore! A great book that your child will remember fondly in years to come.