Professional Books

This is a book that everyone should, no must read. It explains why the study or a simple grasp of demographics is so important in our daily or business lives. Written in a witty informative style, with lots of case studies illustrating why demand for products rises and falls over time.

My only criticism, is it is only 268 pages long! My solution was to re-read it and go to Ken's very informative web site! This book is worth its weight in gold, as it will wean you off those Aging Boomers onto a bigger coming wave: Generation Y. And finally this book is a must for Christmas lists!

The Age Curve is a must read, groundbreaking book with two great purposes. First, it will revolutionize your understanding of your customers and clients. It breaks your current paradigms and dispels common myths. More importantly it may even reveal that you are chasing the wrong market to begin with. Second, it is a wholesale vindication of Generation X, dismissing the media's false notion that Gen X is lazy and uninterested. Of course this is something Gen Xers have known for years. With Mr. Gronbach's book and the stats he cites therein, the rest will now catch on.

I'm not sure if there is a higher superlative that I can give a written work than to say it is the most resistant to being put down of anything I've read in a decade. I was entertained and completely engrossed within seconds.

The most important business book I've encountered in at least the past five years, The Age Curve's every page contains useful information about the who, what, when, where, why and HOW of our current marketplace and provides an eye-opening vision of the near and not so near future of our fragile global economy.

Generational shifts are about to change business... all business... and those who are most familiar with Kenneth Gronbach's work are going to be the ones best prepared to handle the struggles and profit from the opportunities of those shifts. If you enjoyed Blink or Freakonomics here is your chance to read a book that shares a similarly interesting style and tone, but with the invaluable bonus of having the information within be applicable to everyday business - which is something I found sorely lacking in the case of these other best sellers.

The bottom line? Get this book. Today. You'll be finished and better prepared for a profitable future tomorrow.

Reviewed By: Mark Snow, VP HRD Press

This is an excellent book, a must read for businessmen, executives, politicians and the people who vote for them. I found it wise to share the premise of this book with members of several boards of directors on which I serve, hoping to prepare them for what Gronbach predicts will be our experience in the near future. Heeding this voice could well save us an enormous amount of money and effort.
I was surprised that AMA's proofreaders failed to spot the considerable number of typographical errors. But this problem does not diminish the value of the content. HJH

Ken Gronbach's book, Age Curve, is a clear and concise explanation of some of the factors facing our changing world in the very near future. Once you read it, you'll feel like you can predict the future. I recommend it highly.

Most eleven-year-olds are trying to deal with starting middle school. Anna Smudge is Manhattan's top psychiatrist. "Anna Smudge: Professional Shrink" follows Anna as she gets her start as a child psychiatrist - not a psychiatrist specializing in children, but a psychiatrist that is a child. She finds in her sessions that all is not easy for life as a prodigy, confronting blackmailers, difficult patients, covered-up government conspiracies, and way too much homework for any child to handle. Fortunately, she has her friends to support her! "Anna Smudge: Professional Shrink" is deftly written and highly recommended for community library young adult fiction collections.

ANNA SMUDGE: PROFESSIONAL SHRINK
MAC / (GLENN FABRY-ILLUSTRATOR)

Rating: 5 Enchantments

Eleven-year-old Anna Smudge has a talent for listening to others. She's so good that she ends up getting tons of requests for her services from nutty New Yorkers.

But Anna has her own problems: a school bully who taunts her daily, parents who are too busy to notice her, and being blackmailed into doing someone else's homework. On top of this is the criminal mastermind Mr. Who, who is terrorizing New York. But he's only a rumor, right?

Anna, along with her sixth grade friends, set out to find Mr. Who and stop him from doing any more harm. Anna needs to do this soon. Her father's life depends on it.

ANNA SMUDGE is a fun tale that is sure to be a hit. Anna is a modern day Nancy Drew/ Dr. Phil, using her talent of listening to help solve not only others' problems but to help find the mysterious Mr. Who. Anna's friends each have a profession-chef, crime sketch artist, and more. They use their skills to help find Mr. Who. It's refreshing to have characters that don't all want to be models, rock stars, and/or actors.

The illustrations are fun and catchy. The whole comic book crossover is sure to attract fans as well as appeal to the reluctant reader. The only problem I had with this story is it ended too soon. I can't wait for book 2-Quenton Cohen: Professional Chef which is scheduled for a May 2009 release.

I showed this book to some eleven-year-olds who summed up how I felt about this book in one word. Wow!

MAC (aka Melissa A. Calderone) is a freelance writer for Popular Science Magazine. She has interviewed NASA scientists and covered topics ranging from asteroids to weapons design. Born and raised in Manhattan, MAC first started writing ANNA SMUDGE on the back of dozens of dupe pads while waiting tables at a downtown diner.

Check out www.Annasmudge.com and www.WhoisMrWho.com

Kim Rapier
Enchanting Reviews

Anna Smudge immediately drew me, and though I am eager to make my way through the whole book, I know that I'm going to be completely despondent until #2 comes out. Not since Harry Potter have I been this excited about a series -- MAC can't write fast enough for my eager ears.

I'm an elementary school teacher in Southern California and I highly recommend Anna Smudge: Professional Shrink for boys and girls in the middle-grades. The book kept my students entertained with a great mystery plot and the terrific characters, as well as twelve fabulous illustrations that bring each character to life! I also love the fact that the main characters are kids who have real professions - this book not only gets my students reading, but also dreaming of things they can achieve in their own lives. I can already see some budding shrinks, chefs, and artists emerging from my class this very year. Even I, the teacher, was entertained and inspired by little Anna Smudge.

I can't tell you how much I LOVED this book. Not only was the writing smart and laugh out loud funny, but it kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. The genius is it the book completely works for both kids and adults.

I was a huge Browns' fan growing up, even though I lived about 5 hours away from Cleveland. When the Browns lost on a Sunday, I had a miserable week and couldn't wait until 1 o'clock the next Sunday. Ah, the joy of growing up.

I learned a lot about the Browns that I never knew before about Paul Brown, Art Modell, Blanton Collier and the whole team. What memories it brought back. If you were a fan of that era by all means read this book.

Five years ago upon visiting the midwest I stopped in Cleveland to see a game and visit Jacobs Field. That Sunday morning I drove out to see the remains of League Park because that's where the Browns had their practices. League Park is arguably in the worse part of any town that I've ever visited a ballpark (and I've seen 150-200), but boy was it worth it. Too bad so little remains of the ballpark, but I have a baseball book describing and picturing League Park.

Pluto has done it again. This book, especially the second half, is a must-read for any Browns fan. Pluto's compelling take on the last Cleveland championship is loaded with information that cannot be found elsewhere. If you're a Browns fan, this book, if nothing else, needs to be in your collection.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE

What a book! It takes you back in time to when the Browns were not only part of the fabric of Ohio, but also the team that captured every heart. The section on the training camp and the players sneaking off to a local gas station is worth the price of the book alone. It was a special time and this book captures it beautifully.

I read it, loved it, and gave it to my Dad and he practically read it in one night.

For me, the acid test of books like these is whether they manage to engage the neutral. Certainly Browns fans will enjoy this pleasant wallow in nostalgia from a time when football was still football.

I'm not a Browns fan but I found myself wallowing along with them. Pluto manages to capture the essence of the '64 season and yet not neglect the wider context. Fascinating stuff.

This book is the most complete and clear text about the transition that many companies are doing from product centric to solution enabler organizations. A must read, highly advisable if you are in the IT business.

This book is absolutely the best! It provides frameworks to structure and implement an effective professional services organization (PSO) for an IT product vendor. A product company PSO matures over time through various phases characterized by the types of services it offers. This book is full of practical yet winning strategies and tactics to maneuver the high risk waters of professional services. There are clear directions on how to manage key levers that increase profitability but it also sets realistic expectations. Although the book provides the `recipe' for a sample $100 million professional services organization, it lists all the necessary `ingredients' to cook up a PSO of any size.

I liked the fact that it is written in a style that is free of any jargon. Authors are professionals who clearly understand the industry from inside. My least favorite part are the diagrams and illustrations which are at best adequate but could be better. Highly recommend this book!

This is the absolutely best book devoted to building pro services organization in a product-based company. While there are a lot of sources on managing stand-alone pro services firm (i.e. accounting, law), this book addresses the common pitfalls in moving into services for product-oriented companies.

The book is easy to read, well organized, and packed with sound practical advice you can start applying right away, whether you're in delivery, sales, or marketing -- you'll be going back to it often.

This book absolutely is the best book I've ever ready regarding professional services. They describe a pragmatic approach from their experience at SGI services. This book will take you through planning an PS organization, development of various groups, reporting strucutures, templates for tools to help you.

It's focus in on a PS organization of a product company but you can take much away from this book if you are purely a services organization.

What I like the most is that it helps you do begin to address the various challenges where other books gloss over these topics and leave it to you.

This book as become my day-to-day bible to managing a professional service division within our product-oriented company. If you have your objectives and strategy clear, this book will help you getting organized with the tactics.

"I just finished reading your book ³Butlers & Household Managers² and found it extremely interesting and very informative. What a wealth of information...you can use this book if you want to become a Butler or just help organize your own home. I will be going out either tonight or tomorrow to purchase 'Hotel Butlers, The Great Service Differentiators.' I just had my second interview for a position as Butler with The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach. I thought the interview went well. I¹m excited about the opportunity of working at such a prestigious resort and I hope to be brought back soon for my third interview. I¹m looking forward to reading 'Hotel Butlers, The Great Service Differentiators' very much and I¹m sure I will go though your book many times and keep it as a valued reference. Again, I just want to thank you for a great resource
that I will use for many years." M.E.

I am NOT a butler, but I sought this book out on the internet and finally purchased it after thinking I could use it for many years. I was NOT disappointed. It is the best self-help book on the market! This book can help you organize your life on nearly every level. It is an organizers dream book for most of us who have to live without at butler. Yes, I am still in the process of becoming a good household manager, but now I have the advice and skills of my "guide book man".

If you are involved in the world of private service, I highly recommend this book as a "must have." Mr. Ferry has gone to great lengths to get it right and the results are contained within the pages of this book.
Mr. Ferry presents us with a history of Butling (and other private service household positions,) and weaves a rich tapestry of service standards, duties, do's and don'ts, professional expectations and numerous other pieces of valuable advice throughout the book.
If you do not have this wonderful resource in your collection my advice is to get it and use it.
"The British Butler"
North Carolina, USA

"I read `Butlers' cover to cover. Great! It captures the essence of good butling-competency and discretion."

I loved this book and still refer to in occasionally. I wish more books were written by him and perhaps in a memoir tone so it could be an entertaining version of this one. I've read others that are "behind the scenes" and was quite put off with the arrogance of them. Big accolades to Steven Ferry for writing a practical and inspiring book, I only wish there were more from him!

Top Marks for this highly readable and clear intro to Voice over IP. The subject matter is dealt with in reasonable detail and the author achieves great clarity in explaining difficult technical concepts. He also delves a bit into the history and background which also helps to put the subject matter in context. He even adds a small example of how to go about dimensioning a VOIP network at the end of the book.

Aimed specifically at designers of public telecommunications networks, this easy to read book provides practical and useful hands-on information. Where necessary, topics are covered in great detail. For example, 120 pages are dedicated to H.323. Softswitch architecture and programming are covered, and 55 pages are devoted to discussing Quality of Service issues.

We believe this book to be an essential read, and recommend it highly.

Great book on VoIP, still emerging technology. It did a great job in explaining concepts related to QoS such as RSVP, DiffServ and MPLS. Right from basics such as IP, UDP, TCP and various coding techniques you will find great explanation to each and every item. If you are interested in knowing about VoIP or you if u wanna work on VoIP this is the ONLY book you need. There is very detailed and neat explanation related to MGCP, MEGACO, SS7 and SIP too. The only thing that i felt lacking is testing of voice quality both subjective and objective and how they could be done. No doubt in giving 5 *s to it, great job!

This book does a very good job of giving an introduction to the VoIP world. As a professional in the telecom domain, I found this book very useful. Application of VoIP to telco domain as in the case of softswitch architecture for backhaul and the QoS issues that carriers have to deal with is also well covered at a good amount of detail. The book also provides detailed discussion on the protocols. However, I skipped passed these sections and unable to comment if such material was covered well.

Overall - a very good book. Highly recommend it.

I serious think that I should not write this review since I do not understand half of this book, but then again, I have read this and also Cisco Intergrated Voice Data and can in some way be a poor/insufficient abeit enthusastic tour guide. I have noticed other reviewers describing this book as great - but I do not think this book is comparable to monumental classic like Jeff Doyle or Kennedy Clarks books on Routing and Switching - where they display in-depth knowledge on the topic plus an ability to explain thing in the clearest possible way. I rate this book 5 stars for the sole reason that the author do appear to have an overwhelming knowledge of computer telephony - although I cannot quite judge whether they are technically accurate or error free - and has taken his valueable time off to write them down and share with us. While the author definitely has the kindest intention of making it "understanable" to even the not-so-technically-advance group of reader - as is evidenced in the way he start off this book by explaining why bother with IP telephony, and why TCP/IP is inherently unsuitable for IP telephony - I suspect that when it come to harder topics like H.323, SIP etc - there is simply no way or no time to find a more reader friendly way to present it. In the end it is a tough read - so tough that I will have to put it aside for a while as you need to be in the highest state or mental agility and strength to make hard yakka through the book. Nevertheless, this book is a useful reference - and for topics that this author decide not to include - check out Cisco's Integrated Voice and Data.

As a medical student with an interest in nephrology and acid-base disorders, this book provides a readable but rigorous discussion of the subject. Chapters are well-organized and do not have to be read in order - they are written to be independently referenced as the need arises.

I am currently studying medicine and got this book to help get a handle on the renal system and acid-base topics. I found it easy to understand, with good detail and lots of extra information. The case studies are a great way to illustrate the different conditions. I would definitely recommend it if you are keen to get a handle on (or master) acid-base and electrolyte physiology and disorders.

FOR RESIDENT AND FELLOWS AS STAFF TOO, THE FIFTH EDITION OF BURTON ROSE IS EXCELLENT, COVERING BASIC CONCEPTS AS WELL AS ALL THE RECENT RESEARCH MEDICAL NEWS IN FHE FIELD OF FLUID AND ACID BASE PHYSIOLOGY.IT SHOULD BE RECOMENDED FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC MEDICAL LIBRARY.

An impressively lucid and detailed account of renal physiology, with a close focus on the clinical causes and implications.It is intensely practical, with up to date references (at time of publication) and sifting exerecises at the end of each chapter.

It is precisely what far too many 'nephrologists' have all but forgotten in their obsession with immunology, studying the aetiology of injury is all well, but without a text like this it's difficult to appreciate the intricacy, beauty and sheer majesty of renal physiology. Can you tell the difference between tubulo-glomerular feedback and glomerulotubular balance? - shame on the 'forensic pathologists' who can't! This book will provide rapid relief.

No doubt, this is a terrific textbook and is a great resource for Nephrology fellows, ICU fellows and general physiologists. However, for the med student or housestaff who would like to digest the basics of renal electrolyte handling and acid-base homeostasis, I'd like to recommend "Renal Pathophysiology the Essentials" by B.D. Rose and H.G. Rennke (ISBN: 0683073540). It is from 1994 and may lack some of the molecular details, but is an even more "readable" text.

This is an excellent book. Very easy to read with some great ideas for activities that you can immediately implement in your classroom with little preparation.

This book was suggested by fellow teachers. It's a great book for teachers that already have a handle on reading strategies. It gives great and easy to duplicate ideas.

This book provides teachers with a way to introduce the comprehension strategies. It has very orginal ways to get the kids thinking about thinking as they read. My third graders responded well to the langauge and activities provided in the book. It was a quick read, but described strategies I can use throuhgout the year in my classroom. I would recommend it to anyone teaching Harvey's and Keene's comprehension strategies.

I am an elementary teacher currently using Tanny's book to inform my small group reading instruction. It didn't take me long to realize what a goldmine of information she provides; and it all makes sense. Reading this book is what I'd imagine sitting down with the author at Starbucks to be like. She will begin your own inner conversation about the myriad ways to strengthen your students' comprehension skills, using concrete items for object lessons, wordless texts, art, music lyrics, and quotes. The examples of anchor charts Tanny shares are first-rate. If you don't own this book; get it :). You'll have it finished in less time than it took to arrive at your doorstep!

Great resource for all primary elementary teachers. Great ideas to develop schema for various comprehension strategies!

Just purchased this rightoff on Alibris and was real excited to read this even tho I'm into music conducting, arranging, writing, hearing by ear, all of it.

This is deeply a Music Must if u're interested of being a most-talented musician, bandleader, music director, conductor, and/or just trying it out for practice.

Alot of people been recommend 'cuz the man himself Brock Elheran tells it right here from the heart and it's rocks on to this day 4ward.

I just begun conducting while in high school with the band and duggin' up everybody who can do that. I'm also a talented musician myself so ya'll know the basics 'bout that. I look 4ward of reading more books like this in the future and 'mos definitely on arranging, composing, orchestration, theory, composition, leadership, music production, all of the above.

I'm proud to say that I studied with Brock. He is an amazing conductor with great passion for music. While his book was required reading for his undergraduate conducting class, his concepts are used every day is my choral rehearsals. I've been conducting for 12 years now, and know that his concepts and rehearsal techniques have served me well. A very simple, concise, and practical guide by an incredible teacher and conductor.

I bought this book shortly after I'd agreed to conduct an adult community choir, and studied it with fearful concentration through the first tentative weeks while the choir and I developed some trust in each other's good will and ignorance. I'm still a novice conductor, but I've now stood in front of some big groups of singers, experienced and beginners, and I trust this book. Even when it's not hidden in the music in front of me.

There's room for argument with some of what McElheran says, and I haven't yet seen a choral conductor who works as he recommends, but the book is clear, sensible, brief, and practical. What's more, it's in better shape than most of my music, although it's travelled further and lived rougher.

I've found the exercises very useful, especially those with "a group of friends". I tried these with my novice choir, in a spirit of "let's explore", and we all learnt from them.

Warmly recommended for anyone interested in conducting, even those who are not about to try their hand, with or without baton, at it.

This is the best book for technique I've come across, period. The style is not unnecessarily abtruse and the clarity of the book in explanation is magnificent. What appealed to me is the fact that logical, scientific explanations are given for most of the technique encompassed, and the author does not take refuge in 'tradition'. It is as suited to the absolute beginner as it is to the professional looking to polish his/her tehnique.

This book has become a common introductory text for undergraduate level conducting gesture in the United States. In this respect, the book is extremely effective.

McElheran's treatise is laid out in ultra-clear chapters, all of which are concise and contain possible "Assignments." Not to get too bogged down in the mire of conducting gesture, McElheran's first chapter is on Inspiration. In short, "make the performers want to do their best," he says.

The next few chapters cover aspects such as the baton, beat patterns, the left hand, dynamics and other aspects of music, cues, off-beat accents, fermatas, and some aspects about rehearsals and performance. There are more chapters but you get the picture. All are good.

Some readers may wonder if this is meant for "orchestral" or "choral" conducting. McElheran states clearly that there is (or should be) little difference and that choral conductors should develop an orchestral technique. While I would say that good choral and orchestral conducing are about 95 % similar (perhaps even more so), choral conductors should be aware that there are some differences, especially in ideas of always "hitting the imaginary table" or conducting every single beat. Nonetheless, Conducting Technique can be very helpful for the beginning choral conductor.

Moreover, McElheran's writing style is very fresh and full of self-effacing wit. Reading the book gives one the impression that Brock McElheran is the type of person who takes the art of music seriously but not himself seriously. I think any beginner of conducting should consult this book, and even professionals might want to have it around just as a reference.

Let's face it, starting your own business is difficult. When I came up the idea for my own small business, I was consumed with the details of the business- not the business plan. This book as helped walk me through the in's and out's of my business plan, and ultimately, helped land me a loan from my bank. Thanks for keeping it simple!

I wish I had read this book sooner, maybe I would have opened my own business! This book takes you into the most mysterious thing about opening a small business - the business plan. I always heard that banks wanted them, but I had never seen one. Now, by reading this book, I not only saw one, but I saw it in action. This book has great tips, humor, and a knack for talking in a way that non-business majors can understand. Read it and see just how you too can get rolling on your dreams!

Mr. Kerner helps the reader, in a simple step-by-step approach, to address those items that must be included in an effective business plan. He leads you through the process so gently that before you know it, the plan is done and ready to open doors for new entrepreneurs everywhere. I particularly like the fact that Mr. Kerner has successfully started businesses, and provides us with the tools he would have liked available himself.

Thanks to Mr. Kerner's work I finally feel as if my dream concepts can be made real! For me the business world has always been rather daunting, never knowing where or how to begin. Yet, the clear, step-by-step approach laid out in this book is effective in breaking it all down. It's clear Mr. Kerner wants to help you succeed, and his humor throughout the pages helps to make the process of creating a business plan much more enjoyable! Highly recommended, this book is written for people like you and me!

I started a business about a year ago, and things were going well. There was just one problem, when I wanted to expand ie: get a loan, I didn't have a business plan. I needed something to give me clarity and help me organize my thoughts so that I could present them to a bank. After trying several online business plan guides I found this book. The instruction is clear, and after completing it, I actually understood what went into my plan. A great buy!