Sales Books

Read the entire book in two days and I have to say it is freaking
awesome! What's great is the way you break the process down in
"understandable" terms and terms people can actually walk away with and
put a plan of action to execute. I've read so many books where you're
left to feel as if you learned something but you are totally clueless
as to how to implement a methodology and actually get started. Well
done GA and Paul!!

I have been a sales professional for over 20 years with the likes of Coca-Cola and Nestle (plus a couple of smaller B2B firms in-between). I have worked in Street Sales, National Accounts, Business Development and am only 1 of 4 people to ever be globally certified at Coca-Cola as a 'Master' sales trainer. Working for the likes of Coca-Cola and Nestle you get exposure to many different sales technogolies. I can say with confidence that Silver Bullet Selling, by a long shot, is the best and most comprehensive book on effective customer relationship building and closing I have read! It is a must read for any sales professional who is serious about being at the top of their game! In today's environment, it is all about consultative selling and making certain that the customer is a part of the solution every step of the way. This book discusses the topic like no other in an easy-to-read format. I highly recommend it!!!

When my sales associate recommended Silver Bullet Selling to me, I was not eager to read another book about building relationships with customers. To my surprise, this book goes beyond the "why" of relationship building to the actual nuts and bolts of how it is done effectively. I've just begun to use Bartick's six step process and it proves to be a practical, down-to-earth program that I can actually implement. I found the directions for a new way to tailor my solution presentation to be most helpful. Now, I am recommending this book to my colleagues and friends.
Silver Bullet Selling: Six Critical Steps to Opening More Relationships and Closing More Sales

Silver Bullet Selling is a very practical guide to selling. It lays out a step-by-step process for preparing for and executing a successful sales call. Regardless of how many years you've been in sales, you'll pick up some valuable tips and strategies you can use immediately. When you purchase the book, you also get access to additional audio and sales worksheets at their website, silverbulletselling.com.

I brought the Silver Bullet on a business trip with me expecting it to be like any other sale book and full of stuff I would never use. As I read it, it became clear to me that it wasn't. Before I knew it I had read the entire thing and was landing in Dallas. It is full of hilarious stories about the Authors' experience in various sales roles and awesome "bullet tips" throughout. I've already found myself using some techniques outlined in the book such as pre-call planning before meetings, developing agendas, and the importance of a good credibility statement (I didn't even have one). I definitely recommend this book to anybody looking to stay sharp and come out looking like a pro!! Thanks!

Ahh, sibling rivalry! The little boy in this story (about ten years old) has asked God to help him sell his innocently energetic, pig-tailed, little sister, Ally Grace. He tells how annoying and mean she can be, then assures others she will be nice to them. He's ready to bargain with anyone interested in buying her.

As he mentions all of the bad things Ally Grace is capable of, he begins to wonder what it would be like not having her around. After some thought, he begins to see the good she is capable of and changes his mind.

God is mentioned twice in this book. Once, in the beginning, and then at the end. At first, it appears the young boy is asking God for help. Later, it's clear he is asking God to help him do a terrible thing. The little boy doesn't turn to God for good.
I think the author should have taken the opportunity to create a good relationship between God and the little boy. Maybe there should have been an adult in the picture helping the older brother understand he needs to ask God to help him cope with his sister. It's cute, comical, and even made me laugh, but I would not consider it to be a children's Christian book.

This is a really great book! I bought this book for my son when he was having a hard time loving his sister. It went over really well and he loves this book!

Great fun for me to share with my grandchildren as well as my own sister and brother. For Christmas I put old pictures of my brother, sister and I in a book for each of them. I then responded to the thoughts on each page with little quips of my own, remembering our own childhood memories. I put a brother or sister poem on the back inside cover and because we were all lucky enough to share the Christmas holiday with each other, I put one in each of their stockings for Christmas morning. What a special memory for all of us about being sisters and brothers growing up and what a special way to teach my grandchildren about the value of having a sibling. Humor is a grand way to get a message across!

This book is a fun way to be able to address the issue of sibling rivalry. Michelle writes in a way that makes it enjoyable to read with your children. You will definitely laugh when you read how a big brother comes up with a creative way to get rid of his pesky little sister. This would make a great gift for an older sibling when a new baby arrives!

Michelle Adams made me laugh. Then she made me laugh again and again as I moved quickly through this delightful story about a loving brother and his "bothersome" little sister.

With four brothers, I've been there. Most likely so has everyone else who grew up in a house with one or more siblings. That's what makes "Sister for Sale" such a special little tale. It's true, it's real, and it's funny.

Michelle writes in a simple, rhythmic fashion that helps you glide through this story and never miss a beat. The facial expressions in the illustrations are priceless!

I loved this little book. So did my wife, and 13-year-old son.

Sister for sale. How about a brother for free?

This book uses the model of having short essays by or about certain speakers and their advice. Each essay focuses on a given subject and they're roughly grouped together.

What this turns into is a very useful book where little is wasted - each essay is useful in its own way, and if there's something you can't use, it doesn't dominate the book.

The advice itself is pure gold - practacal, spelled out, and focused. In fact, even if you're not a speaker, or only tangentally interested in speaking as part of a career, this book has a lot of good and solid business and personal advice. Once you read it, it's worth noting good advice for anyone else you know, because a lot of it applies to any situation.

If there's a flaw, its that many of the essays are rah-rah types, pretty much what you'd expect from and about speakers. So I'd cut it some slack.

Definitely a worthwhile read for any one even remotely involved in speaking.

Reviewed by Dr. Michael Philliber for RebeccasReads (7/08)

The mechanics of becoming a successful Professional Speaker can be a bit daunting. Cathleen Fillmore has laid out an easy-to-follow set of plans to profitably negotiate those mechanics in her 166 page paperback titled "The Six-Figure Speaker: Formula for a Six-Figure Income as a Professional Speaker." In this book Fillmore assumes the reader has already mastered the ability to speak in public, and focuses her energies on how to break into the professional speaker market.

The practicality of "The Six-Figure Speaker" begins at page 1 and flows all the way to the end. Several chapters lay out various game plans for generating speaking engagements. Other chapters explain the ins and outs of speaker bureaus and agents. Some tackle the pros and cons of bringing on staff members, and when it might be unnecessary and when productive. A couple of chapters lay out ideas on how to divide your time between speech preparation, presentation and generating leads. Other topics cover building websites, what to look for in contracts, and how to be a long-term winner with speaker bureaus and program organizers. Fillmore also includes chapters that are written by flourishing professional speakers who describe their own methods of achievement.

Though the material sometimes gets a bit monotonous, some themes are repeated in several chapters, overall this is a great how-to book on becoming a winning certified speaker. If you're looking for ideas on how to break into the speaker market, succeed and come through it alive and thriving then "The Six-Figure Speaker" is the book for you.

The product was actually more than I expected. The initial review noted it would be helpful for the business aspect not so much the 'prep' for speaking and they are right. I needed a reference to excel and this is it.
Thanks,
Dr. Craig Jacobus

In her new book "The Six Figure Speaker" Cathleen Fillmore writes with a remarkable depth and range of expertise in the area of professional speaking. She offers the reader a formula for success using interviews, through coaching, and using working models from top-earning speakers. Fillmore shares stories taken from her own successful and exciting career. She speaks from her own experience and from lessons learned through her own mistakes. She explains how to turn an occasional disaster into a workable solution.

The valuable advice Cathleen gives the reader on building and maintaining prospect data is practical and workable. She provides comprehensive information on how to develop a fee structure, as well as providing a wealth of information on writing and negotiating a contract. Packed with insights into how to establish a pricing strategy, the book also provides inside knowledge unique to the industry.

Fillmore includes a formula for revamping marketing strategies. She offers tips on public relations, and gives ideas for creating and selling products. Her coaching approach gives the reader hands on suggestions for building effective websites, and the importance of referrals. From her widespread contacts and her own personal observations Cathleen takes the reader behind the scenes to point out the changes taking place within the convention planning industry and new goals being reached for by industry leadership and management.

Cathleen Fillmore is an incredible resource for the serious minded speaker at any stage of their career. Both established professional speakers and those just starting out will find the book motivating and highly informative.

Fillmore challenges the reader to move to new levels of effectiveness by changing their thought patterns to those that will produce action. She encourages the reader to make "changing people's lives" a part of their personal mission statement. This can be done by inspiring greatness, and sharing personal gifts and talents with others. "The Six Figure Speaker" is a crash course on how to make big money as a professional speaker.

To be totally honest I thought this book was going to be a total rip-off of Jane Atkinson's book The Wealthy Speaker. The cover, etc. looked a little too similar to me. I thought I'd order it to check it out to be sure and I'm THRILLED I did.

Are you a speaker just starting out or a seasoned pro? I'm sure if you are in either group you'll enjoy this book. She covers putting your one sheet together, dealing with bureaus, etc. It's NOT a copy of Jane's book and a wonderful addition to any speaker's library. Jane's book offers more of a step by step plan to get from where you are to being the "Wealthy Speaker" but, I think Cathleen offers a lot of other useful information that's not in Jane's book. From websites to one sheets, bureaus to referrals, repeat clients to getting new clients, it's ALL in here. As another reviewer wrote "it has nothing to do with how to project your voice, how to organize a speech, or how to overcome shyness. " I do think it's a book that was designed for people that are already in the business BUT... I think it's also for those even thinking about getting into the business. Be the end of this book you'll know what a ride you are in for, how the business works, etc. It's good to have a jump start.

This book is VERY under-priced. Buy it NOW before Cathleen comes to her senses and charges what it's really worth.

It's time to read this book again with my highlighter in hand.

John Pullum
Corporate Entertainer, Motivational Keynote Speaker
www.John-Pullum.com

As a startup leader, I've found that it's difficult to locate good advice. Much of the literature about starting a tech company is high on euphemisms and low on actionable advice.

Jackie's book, however, is great. She writes in a no nonsense style, with experience direct from the startup and technology sales trenches, and gives direct and frank actionable advice for startup leaders.

In a startup environment, sales is king - without revenue and traction from paying customers, a startup does not really have anything. Jackie describes why this is, and also outlines a proven sales strategy for startups. My 'Aha' moment came when she described why sales and marketing at a startup is different from all other environments. The traditional rules and sales processes do not apply - because they don't work!

I highly recommend this book for anyone involved in sales and leadership in a startup environment.

Let's face it. The odds of success are against most startups. Jackie Bassett offers budding entrepreneurs a chance to significantly increase their odds of growing a viable, long-term business. Her direct approach to addressing common business problems and providing practical solutions based on real world experience is invaluable. What's more, Jackie's book is an easy, one-night read. By morning, you'll be energized and ready to tackle any pressing and future business challenges head on. If your goal is to build a product/service with great demand, read this book.

M. Pinderski

Simply, the best selling tool you'll ever use to build and grow your business. Ms. Bassett's insights are short and to the point, and backed with the intelligence of someone who has been there. There are few people in this arena who see the big picture. Don't waste your money on other sales and marketing books because this one sums it up perfectly.

Loretta Collins
The Sales Doctor, LLC -sales coach

I just read this book and was completely surprised to find that it suited an issue that my company is having right now to a tee! We're not a technology company per se...we're an online service for childcare. But we're launching a corporate program right now and Ms. Bassett's book just pegged everything that we have been facing...low sales and adoption rate. I can't want to use her book to turn everything around.

Don't be fooled by the unassuming cover...this book is chock full of great information, presented in a blunt fashion. Her points are solid, her stress on discipline noteworthy and her experience undeniable. I would recommend this book to anyone, and plan to send it to a few fell entrepreneurs today.

I'm a serial entrepreneur (and author of two books on nanotechnology) and know Ms Bassett personally. She's been a good advisor and follows her own advice, not least in this book. Entrepreneurs don't have time - so if you have something to say, say it quickly and say it directly. That's what she's done. I avoid most business books because they drone on for hundreds of pages, this one could be read in two hours and those could be among the most valuable you'll spend.

The advice is this book is invaluable for both entrepreneurs who have started companies (whether or not they are struggling) and for those who are considering starting a company and want to avoid some pitfalls. It is also great for product managers or department heads of bigger companies trying to establish new products.

Read and see why Ms Bassett is a force of nature.

Dan Ratner
Vice President
Sittercity.com

This book covers pretty much all the stains you are likely to deal with at home.

I bought a copies for my daughters. One has a toddler and the other is expecting a baby soon. I told them they don't think they need this now, but wait.

Great shape and timely arrival.

I have found this book to be a great addition to my laundry room for quick reference. I have given several away as shower gifts, a high school graduation and birthdays. I like the size and the easy reference.

Because Good Housekeeping took stains to their Research Instititute for a thorough experimentation with what works and doesn't work, the consumer might do well to sit down with this manual for a quick read-through before doing her own treatments.

(Definition of "read-through": Start at the beginning and go through every page, reading broad topics and subtopics to obtain a comprehensive idea of content.)

What I discovered in my read-through was essential background information:
*Laundry Basics--definitions of various laundry products.
*Sort Smart--mixing colors and whites can have disastrous results.
*Water-Temperature--can make a huge difference
*Bleach--Yes, Virginia, there are two distinct kinds
*Fabrics and a cleaning guide--Yes, the fabric type can make a difference

Section Two separates the products and makes recommendations.
Some examples:
*Acetones
*Ammonia
*Dry-cleaning solvent
*Hydrogen peroxide
*Rubbing alcohol
*Waterless hand cleaner

There's a section on tools to have on hand, techniques, twelve golden rules of fabric stain removal, and dry-cleaning kits. These are just a few of what is actually included. The rest of the binder is dedicated to specific stain removals, beginning with Alcoholic beverages and ending wit Zucchini (I didn't know zucchini caused stains!)

Every home should have this binder and follow it. Keep it in the laundry room ready to use. You can save money in potentially "lost" items by following the simple, organized instructions in treating stains.

Ed Wheat's Staying in Love for a Lifetime is one of the most practical, yet powerful Christian marriage guides I have ever come across. My husband and I were both moved by this book. It was a catalyst for many important conversations. This book will be read and reread in the years to come. A great gift for any engaged or married couple.

I LOVE this book because it gives practical steps you can take in keeping "the feeling" alive in a marriage. The authors believe that your marriage CAN be a honeymoon the whole time! I'm so thankful for them!

Married, engaged, separated or divorced, read this book !!

This book inspired me, made me cry, but most of all it filled me with HOPE. Hope and assurance that a healthy God-centered marriage is romantic, intimate, intellectually stimulating and fun.

Buy a copy, find a comfortable spot and read, discuss and live it together ... then share it with anyone who will listen.

This is a book that should be mandatory reading for every Christian who is NOT going to remain single. If you're in a relationship and haven't read this yet, get it immediately, read and practice it together, and buy it for other couples you care about. An incredible study guide for the biblical teachings about Love and Marriage!

Dr. Wheat provides both biblical insight and practical application for couples who want the most out of their marriage. Each of the three books has it owns value. I have recommended the book to scores of people who have come to me for counseling and have given many copies to those on the verge of divorce.

this was a cute story about a brother and a sister at the beach. this is the brother's first time at the beach and he doesn't quite know what to make of the whole thing so he asks his sister a lot of questions about why things are the way they are, which she creatively answers, because of course all older siblings are all knowing and all powerful in the eyes of their younger siblings. one of the questions he asks, for example, is what is a starfish (or something to that effect), to which the sister replies, starfish are falling stars that fell in love with the sea. by the end of the book after they finish talking the sister asks if the brother's coming in the water, and he pauses before yelling out yes and running forward. it's cute.

the art is very fun and energetic as well.

I was introduced to the 'Stella' books by a friend, and what a find they are! The pictures are beautiful to look at, and the little details are wonderful - It's so much fun to find Stella and Sam's pet dog and see what he may be up to. Stella is a 'wise' little girl, her logic is creative and it's really just plain fun to read! (...even more fun because our daughter's name is Stella...She loves to hear these books read out loud!)

This is one of my favorites! The artwork is gorgeous and little brother Sam's inquisitive nature is funny. Stella's answers are also quite creative. My daughters really enjoy this one.

I just discovered Stella and Sam this weekend and they are now officially my favorite children's characters ever! The brother and sister relationship has never been explored with such sweet simplicity. A worried Sam asks the truly stellar Stella question after question after question, and she answers with pizazz and panache, until Sam can't help but be influenced by her infectious enthusiasm. Their paunchy little-kid stomachs and Stella's flame-red hair are sooooo cute that the book would be worth the buy even for the pictures. Luckily you don't have to compromise - the dialogue makes it difficult to read without laughing aloud and the story flows with a fresh feeling that is completely enjoyable.

Stella aquaints her little brother, Sam, to "The Sea"--a world to which she is an expert and which adults do not seem to inhabit. He is testing the waters, obviously timid about his first ocean adventure. She is an avid explorer--unafraid to share her waters with fallen stars (starfish) and galloping sea horses. It's worth buying this book just to see the picture of the two fishing off of the pier. Absolutely Adorable!

My copy got water damaged and I am buying it again. I love it!
It really gives you the foundations to work with so you are not always having to use a pattern that cost you $20....With this book you can create your own knitting and sewing patterns (my main interests) and learn a little bit of everything (and a lot of everything) so you never fall short (ie: I can't crochet, but a knitting pattern I had called for crochet so I had to learn a bit & this was the place to learn).

Great for beginners and advanced needle crafters.

(I also love the Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Book)

This is the best reference book I've found for explaining all kinds of needlecrafts. I use it often and have to keep it in a handy place. The information is well-illustrated and the instructions are clear. I highly recommend it for anyone who multi-crafts!

This book helped me learn to knit in particular, although that's only a fraction of what it contains. But since that's my area of experience, just let me tell you that practically any sort of knitting I decide I want to tackle, there's something in this book to send me on my way, with a treasury of stitch patterns for textures, cables, and lace, advice for working in the round, working in color, everything I could ask for, and that's just the knitting section!

My one complaint is that in some ways, at least the edition I have is a bit out of date: it referred to fingering weight yarn as "4-ply." Still, a small price to pay for such a useful book.

This is one of the best of its kind. I have a very good Better Homes and Gardens Needlework book and of course the Reader's Digest Needlework Encyclopedia (I've forgotten their exact titles). I also have one by Anchor/Coats and Clark. This is as good as any of the above. It even has a small segment on frame knitting...something none of my other books has. The pictures are beautiful, the instructions clear. All diagrams are easy to follow and understand. This is a GREAT book for your needlework collection!

A must-have book for crafters ! Helpful pictures, too !

Good text to use in a retailing course in that it accurately depicts the rivalry between retailers and their suppliers on the issues of gross margins, brand loyalty, advertising, and share of display space. The text is critical of brand extensions, in a somewhat overly simplistic view, in that the supplier must introduce new products--or is not in pursuit of innovation or growth. Additionally, it holds that the greatest opportunity for retailers are in Type II private label items, which have not been able to "take off" in U.S. stores, as the share of private label seems always to be in a state of flux. All said, a very interesting book with a provocative tone that can inspire discussion for graduate students and undergraduate students alike.

The Corstjens have produced a rare book. It's not -as it's commonly the case- an extended article. It's a book full of precious content with several deep insights about the trade. By the way, that's another accomplishment of them: they talk about real things, not about academia concepts, although they do have deep fundaments in all their arguments. It's a dense and high level reading for all of those interested in understanding the naturally existent bargain disputes between manufacturers and retailers.

This is the first book I have read about grocery where the battle between manufacturer and retailer is examined for the dirty little war that it really is - too many pass over this as just another compeitive issue, when it is a fight that will see one side losing big time.

Buy a copy and keep it a secret - you will appear to have mastered the major strategic issues in grocery, this book is that good.

The issues are examined in a balanced way and the conclusions are well drawn. Be warned, it takes time to read as every three or four pages gave me so many ideas that I would put it down and write a paper inside my business from the ideas and options the book had generated.

Well worth the cost, but keep this between just us.

I have been reading books on retailing for at least five years, and I have no doubt this is the one book that everyone in Retailing should read. It is clearly written (with some anglo french words which give flavour), and though Corstjean its a great acdemic researcher , this book can be read by anyone. Its deep, because they go into deep analysis of the real problems facing food stores today. Its deep because their explanations go always to the basic understanding of the problems. Its not a book full of superficials facts, its arguments are always supported by basic consumer behaviour theory.

Although this book contains a bit too many references to European brands/retailers, overall it's a very frank, up front discussion of who controls the power in grocery retailing. I recommend it to anyone involved in Category Management. Brand Managers especially will benefit from the discussions about extensions, Private Label (called "own label" in this book)and competition at the street level. Reading this book is a great investment.

I have just read the 7th volume of the amazing Story of Civilization, and continue to be impressed with this series. This volume focuses on European civilization from 1558 - 1648 and focuses on such great minds as Shakespeare, Bacon, Montaigne, Rembrandt, Galileo and Descartes. From a political perspective, it focuses on the reigns of Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I, and James I of England; Philip II, III, and IV of Spain; Henry III, IV, and Richelieu in France; and the interesting histories of the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, and Russia. The book also touches on the Islamic world at this time.

Durant's prose is very readable and it is also easy to see his likes and dislikes of the characters in history. I personally like to be able to understand how an historian feels about his subject and I have learned to respect his opinions. I'm amazed at how bloody this part of European history was. I knew that the time of the reformation was filled with wars, but didn't realize how long it lasted after the reformation. This volume also shows how difficult it is for man to accept change, though this time frame does begin to show some positive ideas being accepted. From a religious freedom perspective, it is incredible how difficult and painful of a process it was to arrive at the freedoms we take for granted. Reading history really makes me grateful for what we are blessed with.

I highly recommend this series and volume to anyone wanting to understand the story of our civilization. It is filled with beauty and horror. Let us learn from the lessons of history.

The Durants are gifted storytellers, however sometimes it seems they're more concerned with the art of the tale moreso than the veracity of the facts. That is not to say they are inaccurate, rather that aesthetics dominates their work. My reason for making such a claim is that it seems their spin is more of an interpretation of history than a simple conveying of facts. That spin is based in a materialistic mindset. They see historical figures as being motivated primarily by shallow concerns, which I don't think was the actual case. With that established, there is a lot of material covered in this book which makes for fascinating reading. The era of the King James Bible is described. The Puritans took the Bible as their guide for daily living. "Toward 1564 they began to be called Puritans--as a term of abuse--because they demanded the purification of English Protestantism from all forms of faith and worship not found in the New Testament" (pp. 23-24). The majority of the London Protestants and of the House of Commons were Puritans.
Private libraries among the well-to-do in England were common at this time. Interestingly, public libraries were rare. John Lyly wrote a book in 1579 proposing to show that "mind and character can be formed through education, experience, travel, and wise counsel" (p. 67). The Durands mention "old Parr", who in 1635 was presented to Charles I allegedly still in good health at age 152. There is a lot of history covered in this book. I would recommend reading it with an eye of receptivity to the facts, while disregarding the commentary inserted throughout, and taking into consideration the bias of the historians.

In this, the seventh volume of the unparalleled series "The Story of Civilization," Dr. Will & Ariel Durant have compiled a compelling rendition of historical fact covering nearly a century of Europe's past from the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558 A.D. to the death of Descartes in 1650 A.D..

The reader will be treated to vivid historical recounts concerning: Phillip II of Spain and his "invincible armada." Elizabeth I of England, the "Virgin Queen." The Hapsburg Family. The Thirty-Years' War. The Puritan Revolution in England. Spain's fierce struggle to subdue the Netherlands. Europe's disillusionment following the brutalities of the religious wars. Cardinal Richelieu of France. And much, much more including plates and maps.

The Durants have created a prose which is free-flowing and easy to understand. This book, designed to stand alone or within the series, is a masterpiece of historical accuracy to be enjoyed by professional and layperson alike. I rate it as five stars. Superb!

Fortunately, a PH.d is not required to both enjoy and be educated by the Durants monumental achievement. They are the authors who literally built the Simon & Schuster company. (I hope Carly Simon sends flowers to their graves every year as they largely generated her families fortune!)

It is important to remember that Will Durant was an experimental academic himself (c.f. the "Ferrer School"); and he knew that nothing was so stupid that it could not be found in Academe or academics. He himself is amazingly free of this crippling disease of "institutional" scholar an expert in philosophy as well as history. He was born in 1885, and educated at a time when Truth was still a concept (self-serving misreadings of Nietzche aside) and historians were unafraid to voice opinions other than one's attacking anything and everything not conforming the usual left-wing fad of the moment.

The aesthetic is indeed stunning. The flow or eloquence is rarely interuppted over nearly 70,000 pages of written text. Of course mistakes of detail abound. As I've said in other reviews, the biggest problem area is that of the military. Too often the Durants take, especially ancient, but also more recent military histories at face value. This was due to two reasons: little interest in detailed military history and preference for things "cultural." And sensing their weakness in battle narratives (as opposed to say Keegan or Tuchman or Gibbon), they are largely absent; the concentration is on their causes and effects; the effects of battles nearly always being ephemeral.

To condemn them for "lack of perspective" or "bias" is to reveal one's own. Unlike some reviews, the Durants made every effort to balance controversies by offering both sides. If they drew a conclusion contrary to your sacred cow, it is not an indicator of bias or error (much tho' the Left attempts to conflate the two).

In certain obviously indefensible activities (the Spanish Inquisition, the genocide of Jews before the First Crusade, the Church's deepfrying heretics, Louis XIV's brutal expulsion of the French protestants (Huguenot, a corruption of a German word, "eidgenossen") the Durants' condemn it with the precision of Gibbon and the moral outrage of Barbara Tuchman or Robert Conquest.

Somethings are evil and can never be anything else. To forget that is to invite the next generations of Lenins, Stalins or Hitlers.

The Durants understood the role "bias" far better than a thousand puerile academic critiques (tho' I realize that is largely a redundant remark) and compensated for it by the effort as well as their method of "integral history" which seeks to weave the entire history of European civilization into one seamless, if not stream of conscious, narrative flow.

It succeeds brilliantly and one finds it difficult to believe that any other such "generalists"--historians these days tending to bury into the infinitesimal and cherish minutiae, thus condemning themselves to present and future obloquy--will flash so brilliant across the literary heavens any time soon.

You should always check for youself if you have doubt. The Durants are almost always right and the mistakes are those of haste or, perhaps, the preference (or distaste) for the particular subject. (It is, for instance, difficult to feel much but revulsion for Charles V and his son Philip II and their policies of tyranny, blood and bigotry).

Read with a mind open to learning, not with crosshairs seeking weakness to exploit.

Will and Ariel Durant shine again in their seventh book of their history of European civilization. The given detailed attention to Shakespeare, Elizabeth I, Henri Quarte, Phillip II, Montaigne and many others.

The prose sparkles with wit, verve, pith and an unflagging interest and love for the subject of history and the homeland of my ancestors.

Highly recommended.