Teams Books

My 5 yr old loves reading to us and she's even taken the first one to school for show and tell to read to the kids. The books are numbered and each ascending number is slightly more difficult to read. She's already learned the first few and is working her way through them. These are perfect for the pre-k and K ages.

My son (6 yrs) loved these and read each one multiple times within the first week. Great for encouraging phonics readers!

I purchased this set for my 5 year old Kindergartener after earlier this year a teacher had recommended the website... www.starfall.com. Fairly easy phonics set. WE LOVE THEM. Maddy can read the books on her own, and she doesn't lose interest or become discouraged because they are a fairly quick read. We have also found that she is now reading at a quicker pace. The pictures are very cute just like the website... which my daughters adore! Wonderful companion to go along with the website.

If your child is struggling or a beginning reader, than you should definately give this set a try at the wonderful price that it currently is.

My five year old preschooler has desperately been wanting to learn to read. She kept asking for the Hooked on Phonics set, but I had read some negative reviews on it. After reading so many positive responses here on Amazon, I decided to give this set a try. She LOVES it and has been speeding through the books. The only downside is that there are no instructions to help you teach your child, but really, what's to know? Just let them read & help them sound it all out. I'm really pleased with my purchase and my daughter is proud to be able to say, "I can read on my own!"

These books are really cute, short and sweet. The pictures really draw in the child. The animal characters are doing various things that most small children love to do (cooking in the kitchen, racing cars, making messes, playing at the beach, enjoying family, etc.). My son (who just turned 5) LOVES them.

When we first sat down to read them, I thought they were cute and really focused on letter sounds AND kept the attention of my son. But what REALLY sold me and made me (and my son fall in love with them) was the STARFALL.com website. ALL of the books are ONLINE with animation and sound. The child can even modify the story. It is too cute! My son has his own laptop and loves to go to the website and READ and LISTEN to the books, where they focus on sounding out the words. In addition to the books, there are a million other FUN learning activities ... calendar, writing a letter. It's an absolutely fabulous FUN learning website, all for free! This website has helped with learning and reinforcing what he has already learned in school.

So, if you want to see (and read) the books BEFORE you buy, they are all on STARFALL.com.

As a manager responsible for approximately $100 million in spend, I found that this book was able to effectively break down the complex topic of strategic supply management into manageable chunks. I find this book to be useful for the entry level supply chain professional as well as for the practicing purchasing professional. This book not only discusses today's best practices but it also lays out what needs to be done in order to prepare for tomorrow. I will be using the valuable information provided to improve our practices with regard to managing our supply base. It was well worth the read, and it will continue to be a ready reference for me going forward.

This text should be required reading for every supply chain professional. It covers every important topic and trend in supply management and does so with a unique blend of theoretical analysis, industrial survey results and real-life examples. I was particularly impressed with the sections on supplier selection, managing supplier performance and the use of information technology to optimize and support supply objectives. From this text, I learned not only how to take a big picture, strategic look at the problem of supply management but what tools and techniques are available to help day-to-day execution of that strategy. You can quickly see from this text just how complicated supply management is and that a high level of interaction exists between many different functional organizations. Taking a short-term, isolated approach to this topic and ignoring the trends and advice offered in this text will make it very difficult to achieve long-term success.

I was very pleased with the writing style used by the author. It did not read like a textbook with listing of fact after fact. Instead, the author made the subject matter enjoyable to read and included some personal observations that stressed the practical aspects of the material. I would highly recommend this text to anyone who works in supply chain management.

This book is an excellent read for supply chain professionals and those wanting to understand the tools and practices of world-class supply management. Thoroughly researched, Trent provides the foundations and processes of supply management and supports these with real-world examples demonstrating how organizations have transformed their supply chains. The book is a quick read and the summary points at the end of each chapter are also a great reference for those in a hurry. Supply management organizations looking for sustainable competitive advantage will find this guide invaluable.

This book is a complete guide to supply management for any purchasing professional or student. It effectively addresses all the pressures supply professionals face today and provides actionable solutions. The book provides a holistic view of supply management but also gives specific tools and identifies additional resources for more in-depth research. Specifically, I found the tools for supplier identification and selection and the tips for crashing the timeline for supplier identification and selection very useful. While this book is executable by more senior supply professionals, lower level supply professionals can benefit by it also. If you have been too busy to follow what others are doing, this book will give you the heads up on new trends that work. It's a fast, well organized and interesting read you can breeze through during the weekend so when you go back to work on Monday you can begin transforming your organization to a lean and mean supply management machine.

Strategic Supply Management provides a step by step guide to creating a world-class supply chain. By focusing upstream on the power of procurement, readers can learn to establish a solid integrated foundation upon which to build their corporate value proposition. Trent uses timely examples of real-world companies and supplies straight-forward assessment templates that, once completed, provide a comprehensive plan to develop a sustainable and highly effective supply chain. Injected with an occasional dash of humor, this book is a well-organized, efficiently-detailed must-read for anyone wanting to transform their twentieth century procurement function into the strategic supply chain required to compete successfully in today's world.

A Notre Dame grad, I picked up this book expecting it to be a glowing tribute to various parts of our football fanbase, hoping it would at least contain a few good stories that I hadn't heard at pep rallies, tailgates, or over dining hall trays. Instead, I was thrilled to find a series of topics that Scott has clearly researched on a level that those at ESPN and SI have never reached.

There are, of course, interviews with alumns (subway and graduated) and their reactions throughout Notre Dame's long history. But these provide some buffer and outsiders' perspective to chapters that delve deep into the University's financials, or pieces together administrative politics from interviews with Holy Cross priests and press script transcripts. Most memorable were the sections detailing Notre Dame's history in ways I had never once heard or read of in my four years. Detailing the fans at ND-Army games in Yankee stadium, Rockne's avoidance of playing other Catholic schools, and pre-Hesburgh administrations are just three quick examples of some of my favorite stuff. Where and how Scott dug this up will surely be a question many "know-it-all" fans and Observer sports columnist should be asking.

Most interesting (to me) was Scott's investigation into the uber-popular fansites like NDNation that so many fans belong to. He neither condemns it nor condones it; the book gives a fair, unhysterical overview of the process, text, and reaction to the internet-fueled "Call For Change" movement but also gives a lot of Monk's view of this growing mobocracy and their inability to ever be fully satiated. Most of the topics are dealt in this similar light: I walked away feeling there are shades of gray about online fandom, academe aspiration, subway alumni, and collegiate football.

Scott's ability to create a richer, detailed story stands out in a genre that seems to be content playing up all the same tried stories at a superficial level to the fans to sell copies on game day. (see: Return to Glory) The book is appropriately long, but ends right when you feel you've had about enough Notre Dame for awhile. His prose is thoughtful, investigative fair mixed with interview quotes that do not shy away from the profane and the profound.

This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants an understanding of the Notre Dame football fan experience from the perspective of a recent alum.
If you have not attended a game in South Bend, this book will make you feel as if you have never missed one.
The pull of the place to folks who have never attended a class at any University is attempted to be put in words....It is a must read for a College Football fanatic.

First, I have to admit for clarity that Scott's book includes about 1 page about my brother and I. I also signed the C4C (if you don't know what that means, read the book). So I guess that makes me biased.

Following the 2003 season, I didn't think I would face a worse situation than what unfolded in 2004. Bad losses to good teams, even worse losses to bad teams and the eventual misfirings on trying to land the "savior" coach at ND. In a phrase, it was a CF.

Now, through the writings of Scott, I relived that season but through the eyes of others who maybe lived and died a bit more with the game of ND football than I. Going in I thought the book was going to be a more factual account of what happened in 2004. But Scott does more than tell the facts - he tells the story behind the facts. Through meeting subway alums and their history and the role that the Internet played in bringing change to ND football, this book tells a good story.

If you are not a ND fan, you might find this book limited in its contents. However, if you suffered through the past 10 years of ND football, then you must read this book. You will have a renewed passion for Our Lady.

While Notre Dame haters will probably not care for this book, both fans of ND and those interested in college football in general will find it both fascinating and entertaining. By presenting stories of fans from around the country, as well as the historical conext of Notre Dame football, Mr Eden does a wonderful job of explaining how Notre Dame, warts and all, came to occupy a unique spot in college football: A small catholic university in the midwest with unparalleled football success and a truly national fan base.

"Touchdown Jesus" began as a small article describing the relationship between faith and fandom at Notre Dame, but evolved into a tour de force that introduces various Notre Dame enthusiasts from different backgrounds during a turbulent period for the University. These interested parties, many of whom author Scott Eden met tailgating prior to Irish football games, include university administrators, students, alumni, local residents, Internet posters, and "subway alumni," fans who did not attend the University but pledge die-hard allegiance to the University. To many of these fans, the direction of Notre Dame at the beginning of the 2004 football season was a cause for concern. The three pillars on which Irish enthusiasts take pride in--strong academics, nationally competitive football, and Catholic identity--were thought to be in crisis amidst alleged de-emphasis of football and aspirations to achieve similarity with elite, secular universities. The stories of the fans during this time are told through extensive research and personal interviews while detailing the events leading to the unexpected retirement of University President Father Edward Malloy and the firing of head football coach Tyrone Willingham.

Many authors have put forth books about Notre Dame, yet Scott Eden has produced a book that occupies a unique and important place in the Irish canon. A Notre Dame alumnus himself, Eden shares the passion for Notre Dame with the fans he describes, yet approaches the events with a detached, journalistic perspective. For the Notre Dame faithful, this book will serve as the definitive novel of this era, one that breaks ground in describing the events that occurred and the forces behind them. For others, Eden presents a piece that transcends a historical narrative by delving into the psychology behind devoted fandom. The result is a book that will be compelling for any audience.

I found this book fasinating and helpful to see how in the 21st Century, that companies and individuals can have a presence in most countries in the world through technologies. Alan www.dublinmaildrop.com

I must take strong exception to James Garvin DC Something-or-other's review. He obviously lacks a sense of imagination and must suffer from concrete thinking. Those who subsequently reviewed this book (which I have been seeking under its original title since my copy was stolen in 1994) see beyond the historical contrivance to allow comparison of current dispersed management problems with those faced by other managers and leaders.

The author has gone on to a successful career guided by the same concepts. This is a book recommended by other management leaders and enlightened readers.

First of all, I enjoy "instructional fiction" as conveyed in business quick-reads like "Virtual Leadership." This type of business novel is fun to read! Also, this contemporary business text covers an important topic in the age of virtual organizations and e-businesses -- how to establish and manage virtual teams. Enjoy!

This is a wonderful book that lays out effective tools, techniques, and strategies for working with geographically diverse teams. This book is so appropriate for our virutal organization that my entire management team will have copies soon!

We loved this book so much that we have all our team members read it AND we give it away as sales gifts to potential clients.

This book was so helpful and easy to read. It was unique because of the fabulous story it told (with a really cool twist of an ending) ... a how-to storybook for today's virtual world.

I couldn't put it down, read it in one sitting and have benefitted from it every day since. It really helped me straighten out my virtual leadership nightmare. Thanks so very much!

THIS BOOK COVERS 50 YANKEES MANY OF WHOM WERE NOT SO GREAT. AMONG THEM ARE TOM TRESH, MIKE HEGAN, BOBBY MERCER AND HORACE CLARK. IT GIVES EACH PERSON 4 PAGES OF COVERAGE AND HAS A PICTURE OF EACH IN THE PIN STRIPES. MOST PHOTOS WERE TAKEN AT OLD COMISKEY PARK. IT TELLS US A LITTLE ABOUT THEIR CAREER AS A YANKEE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW. A GREAT TRIP DOWN NOSTALGIA LANE. IF YOU ARE A LONG TIME YANKEE FAN THIS IS A GREAT READ FOR YOU. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Wow, there they are, all of those men whose names have slipped from my memory over the years. From Stan Bahnsen to George Zeber. From Jay Johnstone to Dooley Womack. They are the lesser lights of baseball, the non-legends who played for the Yankees but who are a part of Yankees' history. This is great stuff! Allen picked 50 former players, tells us what they're doing now and then recounts some wonderful stories about their playing days and their sometimes small parts in Yankees' lore. These are the kinds of stories that you won't read in a newspaper or press release, and even though I'm not a Yankees fan, I enjoyed reading them. Allen has a wonderful knack for telling interesting baseball stories and he shows the human side of these journeymen players and how they loved the game. If you like going behind the box scores, you'll love this book.

True Yankees never really leave. This book proves it. Ball players who played for many other teams still consider their time with the Yankees (however brief) the highlight of their careers. Only one bitter player in the bunch (Hal Reniff).
Maury Allen is a walking sports encyclopedia, and this is a great book. An easy read, and chock filled with Yankees information. I loved it. Maury should write "Part 2".

Well done, by a fine writer. I love reading about the lesser lights, and what happened to them after their playing days. This book was great for that.

Now that Jim Murray and Leonard Koppett are gone, Maury Allen may be the greatest literary link to our storied sports past. The man is a treasure. He has more first-hand knowledge of great sporting events of the past 50 years than any single writer, and this latest book is just another example of a terrific scribe at work. Bravo!

STEVEN TRAVERS
Author of "Barry Bonds: Baseball's Superman"
STWRITES@aol.com

The Vault books are well done. I have the LSU one and gave the Auburn one as a gift. They have a good history of the football program from it's earliest days with lots of photographs of teams, the stadium through its stages of growth, coaches, etc. A unique aspect is they have inserts which are replicas of old team rosters, training schedules, bowl games tickets, etc. which is a touch I've never seen before. Both were written by a local authority on the program.

My husband and I are die-hard Auburn fans and I always give him some sort of Auburn gift for Christmas but how many T-shirts, caps & mugs can one person have? This past Christmas in search of something really different I bought the AUBURN VAULT book and IT WAS OUTSTANDING!!!!! My son and I spent about 2 hours looking at it when I brought it home - all the while watching the front door for any signs of my husband. We could hardly tear ourselves away from it to wrap it. MY HUSBAND ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT!! We look at it all the time remembering past games and experiences. A MUST HAVE FOR ANY AUBURN FAN!!

Sharing the status of Auburn Alumni with a favorite client, i thought this book would be a perfect Christmas gift for him. Not only did he absolutely love it, but i received a letter from his wife telling me it was his prized Christmas gift of '07. She said he kept it on the table by his chair and jumped at the chance to share it with anyone who came through the door. It is truly a vault of the best memorabilia. There are old rally caps, football tickets and footage from some of the great players and coaches that's completely unseen or heard before David Housel eloquent account of the history of Auburn Football. No matter the age of the fan, this book is truly a prized possession.

This book is so impressive, and it is much more than just a book, it truly is a VAULT, filled with wonderful memorabilia tucked inside and a great history of football at a great university. I was so impressed I purchased it as gifts for my two sons, who are dedicated Auburn fans. WAR EAGLE!!!!

I bought this book for my dad who is so hard to buy gifts for. He's usually pleased with something from Auburn (t-shirts, etc) and I happened upon this and ordered it not knowing what it was. It came yesterday and I am so very HAPPY and excited to give this to my dad, the biggest Auburn fan ever! This book is amazing with all ticket replicas and bumper stickers. I can not wait until he opens this on Christmas. It is well worth the $40.00 and I am extremely surprised it doesn't cost more. Get this book if you have an Auburn fan in your life! You will be their BFF :)

I've been an NBA fan since I was a kid and I read this for the first time in summer of 2007. As someone who considers himself a knowledgeable NBA fan, I'm embarassed to say it took me so long to read this primer to the modern-day NBA.

Breaks of the Game is as well-written and thoroughly researched as any sports book you'll find. Halberstam presents fact after fact on why the NBA game has been shaped by big money and TV moreso than any player, coach, or team. He does a tremendous job exposing the conflict between the league's big money sponsors and its actual product--a game predominantly being played and dominated by black athletes.

Halberstam's excellence isn't limited to the politics and power struggles taking place in NBA front offices. His reporting on the actual game played between the lines is insightful and intriguing. Many of the complaints about today's NBA game--too much one-on-one play, ballyhooed rookies not paying their dues, primadonnas, lack of fundamentals, etc-- are covered in-depth by Mr. Halberstam. Keep in mind, this was written in 1978-79.

It's a great book that can easily be appreciated by anyone--hoops fan or not. And if you consider yourself an NBA fan, then you need to get on this ASAP. Although I wouldn't pay the prices here on Amazon. $59 for a paperback book? Strange. Like another reviewer said: Check your local library. Good luck and enjoy!

If you're an NBA fan, I guarantee you'll enjoy this book - especially if you're familiar with late 70s teams and players. I think even non-fans might find the business angle and personal stories interesting. The other great thing about it is the quote at the beginning -- about how money, fame, etc are fleeting and "the only thing that endures is character" -- by O.J. Simpson! I wonder how Halberstam feels about including that quote now...

This book delves into the personal lives of the NBA players (at least the NBA players in 1978). Halberstam expresses a great ability to decipher and put on paper the racial tension and often awkward interaction between white and black athletes of that day. He also holds an uncanny ability of clearly stating the emotions and interests of all the players on that Portland Trailblazers team.

This book is really one of the best sports books of all time. Halberstam goes all over the map to show that basketball is "more than a sport." Sure, that's a cliche at this point, but everything is incorporated seamlessly: race, TV, finances, a fickly city, hippies, violence, free agency, college. You can't help but realize that all of the problems in the book still exist today in not just the NBA but all major sports (except for the hippies). What is most amazing about the book is that Halberstam constructed it around what can only be considered a run of the mill team. After reading the book, you get the sense that Halberstam could have written just as good a book had he followed any of the NBA teams.

If you can't get it used, then look at your local library. And if you are a book publisher, put it back in print, if for no other reason than the astounding quote by OJ that opens the book.

David Halberstam takes us here in to the life of a sports franchise, the lives of it's players and of the environment surrounding them in the late seventies world of sport, following the merger of the two basketball league. The exposion of television coverage and of a team in the aftermath of a championship.

Halberstam is more than fair in his depiction of all the personalities involved with and on the periphery of the team. His exhaustive research is in evidence. The players are not shown to be charming charismatic larger than life heroes but human beings with stories of their own, interesting ones at that. Mr. Halberstam successfully conveys how the personalities all combined to make up this team.

The thing about this book is that Mr. Halberstam always presents a new take even on well covered topics. He makes you consider what you may not have considered otherwise.

Interestingly this book covers the team in something of a decline not the championship year. That in itself gives a unique view at the end of this book you have an idea of not only why they won but of the difficulty of repeating as champions, of the tenuous relationships formed between players, the slights, the friendships, the business of sports and those behind.

Vivid and rich with color and power. This book doesn't disappoint. Everyone from the rather unique owner to the 12th man. From preseason to playoff. An excellent read.

I LOVED THE INSIGHT THAT CHAD'S BOOK OFFERS SPORT FANS. IT'S ALWAYS A PRIVILEDGE TO GET A GLIMPSE INSIDE A CELEBRITY'S LIFE AND CHAD DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. AS FOR CHAD'S BRAND OF TRASH TALK, I'D ADVISE ANY PRO SPORTS FAN TO READ A BOOK CALLED 'TRASH TALK' BY ROBERT GUSSIN. IT'S A SPORTS COMEDY BONANZA. CHAD, HAVE YOU READ IT?

Written by "Cincinnati Enquirer" sports columnist Paul Daugherty, Chad: I Can't Be Stopped is the true-life story of National Football League superstar Chad Johnson - well known for his professional prowess, and perhaps also known for his touchdown celebrations that prompted the NFL to tighten their rules on what is considered a permissible expression of victory. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this candid story of Chad the person as well as Chad the expert football player. "Says Hue Jackson, Bengals receiver coach and one of Johnson's few confidantes, 'Chad doesn't drink or smoke. He's not a guy that has to be out among the celebrities. I don't lose sleep on Saturday nights, worrying about Chad Johnson.'" Highly recommended as an upbeat, in-depth portrait of an athlete who happens to be a positive role model.

This book is great. It offers a behind the scene look at the life of one of the most successful wide recievers in NFL history. Excellent!

Chad I can't be stopped, is and incredible book. I give this peice of work 5 stars. The way the author goes into complete depth and detail is amazing. Also the authors tell many stories which are told in Chad's his prospective about how he plays and performs in the football games. Many of my favorite parts are when Bessie Mae talks about her grandson Chad and how she straitened him up and made him go to school. Apparently Chad did not like school at all. Chad says he made school harder than it needed to be. I also liked how the author included where Bessie grew up and how she wanted a better life for her children and that happened according to her family and Chad. Chad is a hero on and off the field and this book really highlights that. It also tells about Chad's journey to get where he is now which a successful star is. Chad is a hero but most importantly he mine and the Greater Cincinnati's too. GO BENGALS!!!!

Chads biggest Fan

Chad I can't be stopped, is and incredible book. I give this peice of work 5 stars. The way the author goes into complete depth and detail is amazing. Also the authors tell many stories which are told in Chad's his prospective about how he plays and performs in the football games. Also how he thinks he played in the steelers game in 2005 and his locker room breakdown in his point of veiw. Many of my favorite parts are when Bessie Mae talks about her grandson Chad and how she straitened him up and made him go to school. Apparently Chad did not like school at all. Chad says he made school harder than it needed to be but thanks to Bessie he made it through. Chad says Bessie Mae is the most important women in his life without her he wouldn't have made it. I also liked how the author included where Bessie grew up and how she wanted a better life for her children and that happened according to her family and Chad. I have to say though my favorite part is when he talks about his tuesdays and how when everyone eles is off work he's trying so hard to get better. Chad is a hero on and off the field and this book really highlights that. It also tells about Chad's journey to get where he is now which a successful star is. Chad is a hero but most importantly he mine and the Greater Cincinnati's too. GO BENGALS!!!!

Chads biggest Fan

I found the book to be well thought out. It definitely gives you a lot to consider up front went building a Team and could save you considerable time and headaches later.

Can I tell you how many SELF HELP, BUSINESS SPECIFIC, HOW-TO types of books on my shelves need dusting? and then arrived Dirk Zellers newest ACE; The Champion Real Estate Team. WOW! Emphatically I encourage other highly motivated,"out of the box thinkers", entrepreunerial spirits and WINNERS to grab this book and devour it, cover to cover! Well written,articulate and direct; I am so glad that my GUT instinct on this one was right. Dirk's 20 plus years of heavily trodden roads to Real Estate Success is not just depicted in stories; rather here is a real,meaty, hands on STEP by STEP instructions for team building success. I have personally spent the bulk of this year building my team, this is the "icing on the cake" that I needed; I am eager to begin implementing much of what he has taught. I have been "planting seeds" for two years now with modest seedlings; I expect 2008 will begin a strong harvest and I am so excited. THANKS Dirk!

Thanks so much for this book! It has really helped me get my team back up and running after taking a break in management. I learned from the first page to change some of the things I had been doing and have used it as a workbook in setting up systems and my business plan for the new year as I re-grow my team.

Dirk Zeller is one of the few who really understands the business of real estate and what it takes to be a top agent. This book follows on from his greatest work "The Champion Real Estate Agent" and outlines a blue print for and how to build a team - not just any team. A Champion team. His writing style is clear, incisive and he pulls no punches and tells it - like it is. Lots of great advice from someone who has been in the trenches and knows what it takes and needed to be great at this business. A great read and I look forward to implementing what he has written. Zeller has provided the blue print - the point is to now go and make it happen everyday.

I was so impressed with this book I ordered one for my Broker. It is clearly written, factual and has a real plan that I believe can help you develop a Great real estate team. This is for Brokers and agents - oh by the way there is also a book titled the Champion Real Estate Agent. It is equally helpful and should be on every real estate person's reading list.The Champion Real Estate Agent

What a wonderfully clear and helpful book on the subject of coaching from a Christian perspective. Something seems to be missing from the process of taking new believers on the journey of spiritual maturity. Perhaps what has been missing is the element of coaching. Miller has, from her vast experience, written a very helpful book for the Christian seeking to understand the wonderful help coaching can bring to that process. This book is helpful, engaging and well written.Christ -centered Coaching: 7 Benefits for Ministry Leaders (TCP Leadership Series)

Linda Miller and Chad Hall have taken lessons from their Corporate and Church leadership experience and created an easy read with much practical advice for those who wish to provide meaningful leadership to their organiations/ministries. Anyone who is wrestling with how best to apply coaching to the leadership role should read this for process and practice coaching.

Well, it is a good read, but not quite the 'practical guide' to coaching I had expected. As a coach, the title, etc. caught my eye as just what it said it was - a practical guide to coaching. I expected a book geared for coaches (or potential coaches). Instead, the book seems like it can't quite make up its mind whether it's written for them or for those simply searching for a coach or wondering what good a coach might be.

Linda Miller and Chad Hall have produced a helpful introduction to Christian coaching. The strength of the book lies in its balance of explaining coaching skills, benefits, and uses of coaching in Christian ministry.

The "how to" section is roughly half the book (70 pages). These chapters introduce 8 basic coaching skills, with Listening and Asking Precise Questions getting the most coverage. The teaching is correct, helpful, and up to professional standards (Miller is an ICF Master Certified Coach working for The Ken Blanchard Companies). However, the book suffers the same fate as so many introductions: There's not enough "how to" for someone to pick up the book and significantly improved their ability to coach. (The best Christian "how to" coaching book is Leadership Coaching: The Disciplines, Skills, and Heart of a Christian Coach.)

Practical examples throughout the book demonstrate the benefits of coaching in a wide variety of settings and from a variety of helping roles. In fact, the unique contribution that Coaching For Christian Leaders makes is the summary of how to use a coaching approach in different leadership roles (leading, visioning, managing, and shepherding), and in church ministry.

Many authors and readers have trouble translating the formal coach-coachee relationship to a more spontaneous, informal relationship of using coaching skills in everyday interactions. Here Miller and Hall excel. They take the longest chapter (26 pages) to outline coaching in the church. They give a page or two to a coaching approach to:
+ Preaching
+ Sacraments
+ Prayer
+ Building Community with One Another
+ Spiritual Growth
+ Spiritual Friendships
+ Ministry Teams
+ Service to Those in Need
+ Evangelism
The cumulative effect is a beautiful picture of how coaching skills can be used in everyday interactions in the church to empower and draw out the potential of people.

Currently, Coaching For Christian Leaders the best introduction to coaching from a Christian perspective, although the subtitle, "A Practical Guide," is a bit of a stretch.

If you're looking for a well-rounded book to introduce Christian coaching, this is it.

This practical guide is just that! Linda and Chad provide great background for Christian coaching as well as practical examples to help bring the concepts to life.