Associations Books

I had asked to borrow this book from friends and was turned down. So I finally picked up my own copy and I was not disappointed. It is a good book, practical, short and concise for us busy administrators. I recommend it.

This book was valuable as an aspiring educational leader. The 21 responsibilities were extremely valuable in understanding the role that an educational leader must take on. The down side was the statistical calculation which without having had stats in some time made understanding the rationale behind some of the data more challenging. I would still recommend though!

In this book, Robert Marzano, the most effective force in educational reform today, continues his efforts to promote excellence in schools. Here, he and his colleagues turn their attention to defining school leadership behaviors and actions that raise student achievement. They blend practical advice and research to come up with specific steps that school leaders can take to see that students improve academically.

Marzano et al found that there are 21 leadership responsibilities that have a statistically significant relationship with student achievement. All are important, but the three most correlated with achievement are (1) Situational Awareness (of the specific school situation and good use of this information), (2) Flexibility (to adapt to the specific situation and to handle dissent), and (3) (tied) Discipline (to protect teachers from undue distractions), Outreach (as advocate and spokesperson for the school), and Monitoring/Evaluation (creating a system that provides feedback on effectiveness).

They classified previous efforts at school change into two types. First-Order Change is incremental, a step-by-step pattern. Second-Order Change is sudden reversal of pattern or direction, anything but incremental. Both change processes can be effective, and both require different behaviors by school leaders. The three most effective behaviors for First-Order Change are (1) Monitoring/Evaluating, (2) Culture (building a positive culture that influences teachers), and (3) Ideals/Beliefs (leader's well-articulated ideals and beliefs). The three most important behaviors for Second-Order Change are (1) Knowledge of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, (2) Optimizer (optimism as a critical characteristic), and (3) Intellectual Stimulation (of Staff).

The third component Marzano et al looked at was the importance of the leader's ability to select the right work or issues for the school staff to tackle to improve achievement, whether through the use of models of site-specific or of comprehensive school reform. Both models are effective if tailored to the needs and context of a given school.

But hold on. Don't be discouraged from reading this book because you fear that this is just another text full of education theory and cliches. Or don't succumb to thoughts of "been there, done that" and been burned too many times before. Marzano and company offer a thorough, five-step plan that works for experienced or novice leaders. They recognize that no one person can do all they suggest, and they show how to share leadership with other educators and community members. This book is the most clearly defined, research-based plan for improving student achievement you can find today; and everyone, educator or not, who is interested in better student academic growth should read it.

If there were educational awards equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor given for service beyond the call of duty for the promotion of student academic excellence, Robert Marzano should receive the first.

Robert Marzano and his colleagues translate the knowledge base on effective school leadership into a clear and precise format applicable to 21st century schools. It is a great gift to both successfuil veterans and aspiring leaders. Students and the nation are better off for this work. Education professors and school board members will use Marzano's meta-analysis to understand and articulate the qualities we need in today's leaders.

This is a tiny book considering the format but unlimited in its content. I absolutely love it! I have been on a spiritual quest for some time and this book sums up beautifuly what I found to be the Truth. I had glimpses which leave me beyond any doubt that nothing ever happened and I have no trouble with Kerouac's own sutra. He grasped the kernel of the teaching in a creative and inspiring way.

This little book is shining bright and it is a reliable guidance into the splendor of your own being. It basicaly restates what The Heart Sutra says: form is emptiness and emptiness is form. You can't reason about/with it but in the depth of your heart you'll know that it is so.

Those who are meant to read this gem of a book will find it even if it doesn't show up as a first item on the search list. If it calls you, get it! Someone recommended it to me and it arrived with perfect timing. I am grateful. Kerouac's work confirmed that my search is over, now I can only aspire to live this wisdom until the yearning itself dies or is fullfiled. God bless.

beautifully written, these spiritual meditations are some of kerouac's best and most humble, opening up the quiet side of kerouac often overlooked, simply amazing

_When I first read this little book I thought that it was primarily Buddhist in essence. When I read it again a while later, I said,no, the spirit of this book is definately Taoist. When I read it next I said, this is a true Gnostic creation- who but a gnostic would have the audacity to compose an original scripture? Of course I was right all along, for this book cuts to the mystic heart of all true paths. This is the teaching that we are all one, for we are all emanations of the one Source, call it the Golden Eternity, the Tao, Spirit, or Self. It could be the "dazzling darkness" of Dionysis. It is the core truth of the one appearing as many that it may come to know itself. This was the unnamed IT that the beats were waiting for, it is the perennial lesson for all true mystics.

_Oh yes, the book is a small one. perfect books are often like that- take a look at the Tao te Ching....

_A man that can write a book like this doesn't have to hang around this old world too long- he's already paid his dues and learned his lessons. Like Lao Tze it is time to depart, for your work is done, and the decline of the country is painful and tiring to witness....

"The Scripture of the Golden Eternity," by Jack Kerouac, is one of those books that you should read, then put aside and out of sight, and pick up and read again several months later (that's what I did). The "Scripture" consists of a series of numbered, meditation-like prose poems that explore the concept of the Golden Eternity. The City Lights edition contains both a 1970 introduction by Eric Mottram and a 1994 introduction by Anne Waldeman. According to the publication data page, the Scripture itself was first published in 1960 (although the introductions note that it was composed earlier, in 1956).

The Golden Eternity is an enigmatic concept that seems to transcend rational thought; it reminded me somewhat of the Tao. Kerouac uses many paradoxical statements to explore the Golden Eternity; his writing is sometimes funny. He also plays with words, using such terms as "the universal Thisness" and "the everlasting So." He even incorporates geometric symbols into one section of the Scripture.

Throughout are a multicultural constellation of references that give the Scripture a universalistic flavor. Buddha, Jesus, Shakespeare, Krishna, Kali, Einstein, and the Native American deity Coyote are just a few of the many references. He also finds insights in a butterfly, cats, and "your little finger."

Kerouac writes, "When you've understood this scripture, throw it / away. If you cant understand this scripture, / throw it away. I insist on your freedom." But whether you throw the book away, treasure it, or pass it on, chack out Kerouac's wonderfully written "Scripture."

I, too, have been honored to be in an Edgar Cayce group for severals years. Cayce's work was introduced to me by my mother many years ago and I have treasured his teaching and writings. This insightful book, as well as, many others about Cayce are instrumental in our gaining knowledge about the laws of our universe. I highly recommend this study.
Barbara Sinor, Ph.D.
Author: Gifts From The Child Within: Self-discovery and Self-recovery Through Re-Creation Therapy, 2nd Edition and An Inspirational Guide for the Recovering Soul

The books (both volumes are included) have with stood the test of time. I enjoyed reading them but found the paraphased editions very helpful also.

this book will reveal to you all of our desires to know GODS love for us. It will teach you how to love him who gave his all for us. The LORD JESUS CHRIST is revealed and his teaching become personnal and comforting in these times of stress. If i were stranded on a desert island with one book this would be it.

These two volumes in one are meant to be studied in a group environment. (For groups in your area, contact the Association for Research and Enlightenment, the Edgar Cayce Foundation at http://www.are-cayce.com/.) The groups usually meet once a week and discuss a chapter or part of a chapter. There are online groups as well.

I went to these meetings for close to ten years and it was a wonderful experience. I met some great people and we used the books as a foundation for spiritual growth in a unique fellowship. It is great as either an alternative or an adjuvant to church. For those who have issues with churches because of the inconsistencies and contradictions, this can be a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend it. You can also get a lot out of these books studying by yourself, but it's more fun with a group. It is great spiritual nourishment either way.

A very interesting read about Benitez and the changes he has made during his spell at Liverpool, the guy is a workaholic and the book opens your eyes to how much work and prepartion goes into building a successful team!

A great book on football. I'm a recent Liverpool supporter having transitioned from American sports. The book is a great account of Rafa's first season. My respect for Benitez grew immensely after reading the book. I thought NFL coaches were the hardest working sports managers. This book with its behind the scenes look has proven me wrong. Benitez works just as hard if not harder than his American counterparts. The write-up of the Champions League final is fantastic. It made me wish I was supporting LFC then and at the game.
Once again, its a great book on football even if you're not a Liverpool FC supporter.

Frank overview of Rafa's vision for LFC. Had me captured from Christmas right through to January 6th when I finally finished it. Engrossing read.

This book gives a great inside into the workings of the "New Liverpool".
It starts with the ending of Houllier's reign at the club and the "luring" of Rafa.
It builds up through the season and gives an inside veiw of how things began to gell. Ending up at the final game, the champions League Final.
Being a Liverpool fan all my life, it is just another great Read.

Although I get the impression that the ABA choose this book for the general reader in order to cast some illumination on the criminal justice system, as a practicing prosecutor who enjoys this genre but finds little time to read it, I enjoyed this story very much and recommend it to the guild of prosecutors, especially assistant district attorneys. It is more in the style of Turow rather than Grisham, it is relatively short for the busy reader, and it treats the drug trial accurately, for I myself have tried drug possession cases and have dealt with the issue of knowing possession before a jury. I am going to recommend it to all my fellow prosecutors in my office.

The Shadow of Justice is a tantalizing beginning for a new author. One can hardly wait to turn the pages to find out what happens next to Judge Clark and his cohorts in the Miami legal scene. The interspersing of cultural nuances that are so mandatory to the flavor of the city only whet one's appetite for the story to follow. Full of surprises, this book had me interested from the beginning to the end. Can't wait for the next book.

Hirsch has written a wonderful legal thriller. In The Shadow of Justice, a Miami judge must confront the incomprehensible, violent crime of one dear friend and the awful corruption of another. The intelligent narrative works as an exceptionally fast-paced suspense novel and an excellent primer on criminal law. It's not often one gets an inside look into the seamy side of Miami from such a literate storyteller, one who quotes Tennyson and Proverbs with equal finesse. A terrific read!

A terrific novel. The main characters - the Miami trial judge who writes the first person narrative, a criminal defense lawyer whose moral ambiguity conflicts with his lawyerly competence and obligations, and a police officer (who, though dead as the novel begins, is brought to life through the recollections of the judge and attorney) - are as well crafted as the apparently simple plot, which leads to a complex moral dilemma and an unexpected, but understandable outcome. Equally well depicted are the tension between what law requires and justice demands, the scruffy not-quite-dignity of Miami's trial courts, and the course of a brief, "routine" drug possession trial, the intersection where the book's characters and themes collide. The book's lawyer-author clears away the resulting wreckage with skill and insight, while leading the reader to ponder what he would have done, had he been in the place of each of the three main characters as they chose the paths that the book has them follow.

Bollas is a beautiful writer. This early book introduces the main themes of his writing, while avoiding the postmodern obtuseness of his some his more recent writings. A compassionate and wise observer of the human soul, he here relates his knowledge, as it has been won through the mystery and misery he has encountered.

It would prove very difficult to over-praise this wonderful book. Bollas writes with such lucidity and wit about every topic he touches that I find myself returning to these pages just to re-experience his prose. If you value psychoanalysis performed in the Winnicottian mode, then you owe it to yourself to read this book.

At once amusing and heartbreakingly honest, Christopher Bollas has the ability to cut completely through the fog of ego and object attachment and promote understanding, awareness, acceptance and curiosity. This book is on my list of Life-Changing Must Haves.

Bollas is one of the most important figures in contemporary psychoanalysis and this book is the place to start. The book teems with new discoveries and striking ideas. Most important, it functions as only the best psychoanaltyic books do: it opens the reader to the discovery of their own psyche.

We got this book for our children, and they really love it. Even though she's heard it a thousand times, our daughter still frequently asks us to read this book !

This wonderful book fills a major gap in the world of children's books related to traditional Jewish holidays.

Joan Benjamin-Farren's masterful handling of midrashic sources creates a work that is both subtle and enjoyable, for parent and child alike.

A must-have for every Jewish educator and parent!

The artist/author's stunning artwork & easy-to-follow story line has created a book for children of all ages.

This beautiful book takes us through the omer period in a wonderful way. Both my kids love it.

Lisa Merritt is a great grant writer, as such she makes this book/CD-ROM an easy tool to follow when writing for a grant application.
Concise and easy to follow instructions. This book is a MUST to have at your fingertips !
Ruby Issaev,
Marketing Director
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida

After looking for a grant writer for several months, I decided to take matters into my own hands. If not for the help of this wonderfully concise, clear, and intelligent book, I would have been totally daunted by the task. Lisa Merritt's book is ideal for the novice grantwriter who wishes to take matters into her own hands. Because of this book, I am now actively pursuing my own grants without having to depend on the timeframe of others and without excessive out-of-pocket fees.

As a director of a not-for-profit studio and company I found Lisa Merritt's e-book to be an invaluable tool for tackling the massive field of grant writing. It is simple and concise in an electronic format that suits contemporary submissions.
I have worked with Lisa for many years and can attest to her capabilities as a grant writer. Do yourself a favor and buy this ebook.
Brigid Baker dir. Whole Project/6th Street Dance Studio

The Florida Film Institute has been a client of Lisa Merritt for the past year. She has helped FFI achieve its fundraising goals for 2005/2006 and we are very confident that Lisa will again help our organization raise the bar even higher for 2006/2007. You will find her book simple and a very valuable educational tool.

Stephanie Martino-Rizzi
President/ Dir. of Development

This is an excellent resource for developing lessons and support for beginning readers and struggling readers. I plan on using this as a reference for lesson development.

I've been attending a class with other teachers from my school and we're using this book (which our Reading Recovery Teachers use with their students) to better help ALL students learn to read. I wanted my own copy so I can refer back to it whenever I want and make notes during class.

This is my ninth year as a reading specialist. I've had Balanced Literacy training, training similar to Reading Recovery (Collaborative Literacy Intervention Project: CLIP), and have used Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading books and supplements.
Therefore, I was prepared to be disappointed in this book, but after examining it have decided it is an invaluable resource for differentiated reading instruction.
The book covers the very earliest reading instruction through levels 20+.
The thing I really like about it is that it gives the Fountas-Pinnell, Reading Recovery, and DRA levels equivalents for each stage. There are five stages: Emergent Reader, Beginning Reader, Fledgling Reader, Transitional Reader, and Independent Reader. There is a lesson plan template and sample lesson for each level--called stages--(which I have tweaked a bit and made my own template for each level in WORD). The appendix has materials and examples for carrying out the suggested lesson formats. The levels get progressively more sophistocated: Stage 1 includes alphabet activities, for example, and Stage 5 has Word Pattern Sorts.
Moreover, there is a section on screening and evaluation that I wish I had had when I was testing for my reading groups.
If you're a reading specialist, don't throw away your Fountas and Pinnell materials, but this is a great supplement to give you a feeling of focus and direction for the different reading level lesson plans.

This book is the step by step guide to teaching guided reading by reading levels. It also included the word cards, letter cards, dictation sentences and more that go with each lesson. I feel like I am a more effective teacher due to this book. It is a must have for teachers!

I've been looking for this book for a couple of years. Borrowed one from a friend and been wanting one since then. Accurately depicts the lives of Western North Carolina's mountain people as told through the eyes of one. Visited the actual area and impressed by their way of life.

I first became aware of Dellie Norton because of the movie "Songcatcher" (available on Amazon). A friend suggested I see it. I really liked the music, and something seemed really familiar about it. Then, I heard my aunt talking about it being based on real life people and I start doing some research.

Back in the early part of the 20th century, an English music researcher and lecturer named Cecil Sharp traveled to the U.S. to track down old songs. He got more songs in Madison county than any other place in the country. Songcatcher is loosely based on those events. It was while I was researching that I happened across some articles about Rob Amberg, and I went looking for his book.

When I first ran across the Sodom Laurel Album, I ended up buying copies for all my close family members and friends. Like the other 2 reviewers, Debra and David, I am related to most of the people in the book and on the CD. In fact, my own father, Warren, was born right down the road from Dellie's house.

After reading their words and studying the pictures, I have an even greater respect for my kin than before, and I can't help but feel that we've really lost something important from our lives. Not just my family, but our entire nation.

If you want a really good look at the way life was for most of the nation less than a hundred years ago, the stark images of Rob Amberg have really captured it.

For even more detail about mountain life, you may want to read a couple of books by Sheila Kay Adams (she is in Sodom Laurel Album): Come Go With Me and My Old True Love. They are based on life in and around Sodom (Revere) and are available from Amazon.

Sheila also carries on Dellie's legacy; she is a traditional ballad singer (she was taught by Dellie Norton) and sells CDs on her web site, and performs in festivals around the country. Details on the web since Amazon doesn't seem to carry her CDs.

I received this book as a Christmas gift and have loved every page. The stories and the photographs are great. I believe that anyone who is fascinated with mountain living as I am will love this book.

I'm David Norton Junior is my uncle. This is a great book if your intrested in the way we live in the mountains you should get this book full of great photos of my uncle and aunt Dellie and one great picture of my grandpa Willard.