Running Books

Matt Kramer's New California Wine starts with a section that describes the thinking and mentalities behind the California wine industry (he named this part "Thinking California"). He then goes on to describe California's American Viticultural Areas (AVA) and different activities going on in each in a part named "Drinking California". He mentions quite a number of wineries - in ways that offer details that go beyond the usual, dry descriptions often found elsewhere. The "Thinking California" part of the book provides the reader with an excellent overview of the state of California wines - the thinking that has evolved the European wine mentality/tradition as opposed to the California approach to the crafting of fine wines. Kramer's writing style is quite entertaining - he's descriptive with word choices that vividly portray California. At the start of key parts of the book he sets the scene with a quote and then moves into descriptions that inform and entertain. In "Thinking California" his insights into changes and evolutions that have transpired in California wines through descriptions of the history, the wine plant, the climate, and the soil provide an overview helpful when thinking about California wines. In "Drinking California" he gives descriptions of areas (AVA) and different wine operations. Quite a lot of detail that I'll use when planning my next visit to California - the kind of detail one might want when doing advance planning - necessary when visiting wineries. As a native Californian who now lives in Europe I've tried to answer questions about California wines - what I've learned from Mr. Kramer gives an understanding of and a perspective about California wines that I'll find helpful. I'm glad I bought the book and consider its price to be a good investment.

By far, the most complete and easily read book of its type. It puts all of the recent changes in the California AVA's in perspective.

I have already nipped into this book several times, especially before trips to nearby Santa Barbara wine country, and Kramer has never steered me wrong yet. Based on his recommendations, I experienced some great wines at Foley and Longoria - not really a GUIDE BOOK per se, no fancy graphics or easy to turn to index pages, but Kramer does have his own wine guide for this. I highly recommend for wino-folks living right here on the left coast.

This is a great stress reliever. You have to have a sense of humor to relate to the voodoo doll. It's fun!

I bought several of these to give as small but fun gifts for coworkers during the holidays. They all REALLY enjoyed them.

Make sure you give this to someone with a sense of humor, but it is a great gift if not taken seriously. If someone is expecting working voodoo here, this isn't intended for that purpose. It's just a comical way to say you understand when someone else is frustrated in the work place.

True this book is heavy and could make you look like a geek reading it outside the comfort of your home but that is where any criticsm for this extra-ordinary literary compilation ends. The essays that were so assiduously deliberated over, are without a shadow of doubt some of the finest that could have come out of those times. Not some of the finest that a black writer of those times could deliver but the finest any thinker or writer could put together and strangely enough i still find the underlining messages very relevant in social issues that face ethnic minorities in the west. Having the unique opportunity read great texts with boigrahical info to preceed the text is just great.
I think most of all, probably because it was my first time of reading it, was the essay and indeed the short biographical introduction of Ida B Wells which just simply blew me away. I could go on and on but you need to get a copy and READ IT - definately a collectors item

It might take all your strength to balance this ten pound book on your chest while you read yourself to sleep, but if you can muster the energy you'll be repaid with some of the best black history available. This collection captures the upbeat hilarity of Nat Love's cowboy experiences, the bittersweet saga of Frederick Douglass's escape to freedom, the positive energy of Booker Washington's philosophy of "lifting up [his] race" and much more. The detail and poignancy of each writer's experience with slavery is the most powerful common element of the writings. It might be too bulky to keep in your purse or backpack, but it's a valuable reference to have in a good personal library.

This thick literary compilation of early Afro-American literary classics should be in the collection of any serious library: My Soul Has Grown Deep draws from both famous and neglected works from colonial days, drawing on narratives, oratory, and verse to sample a strong cross-section of black American literature. The attention to a range of genres and experiences makes this an outstanding presentation.

Organizations regularly claim that people are their most important asset. But managers usually know much more about maintaining their buildings than developing and supporting their people. The promise of treating your people like the most important resource is compounded by the reality of a rapidly changing workforce. The New Manager's Tool Kit is for all those managers that want to translate that promise into reality.

Useful at every level of an organization, it is a practical and comprehensive guide to becoming a skilled manager of people. The organizations that adopt the approaches clearly presented in this groundbreaking book are likely to increase their chances of thriving on a sustainable basis into the future.

- Peter Schwartz, author of The Art of the Long View: Planning for the Future in an Uncertain World

Well written, to the point, easy to refer to and use . So helpful it should be kept on the desk top within easy reach for handy reference. Sure to have well worn pages. In particular, I found the section on process of active listening insightful and not the usual run of the mill
tips. This is an extremely useful guide.

The Grimmes have created an easy to read and comprehensive guide for the new supervisor and for experience supervisors that are challenged by the changing workforce.

This is a touching book based in truth about a boy slave who decides to run away and the obstacles that he encounters. He is accompanied and helped by his trustworthy dog. The boy appreciates how his dog has helped him and becomes devoted to the dog which could have prevented him from getting a hot meal after his escape.

This story is illustrated beautifully and allows children to see the injustices done to African Americans and demonstrates their courage to try to escape. This book will be appreciated by parents/teachers and children and provide a good jumping board to talk about the past and how awful this time was in US history. I would highly recommend this book.

My only concern is that it is suggested for those 4 - 8 years old. There is some mention of some switching and violence, so I would suggest that it would be more appropriate for those 8 years and up.

My eleven year old grandaughter liked this very much. Thought the story was good.

E.B. Lewis provides realistic drawings for this picturebook drama set in 1938 and following one James' plan to escape slavery with the help of his faithful dog. This gripping story of escape and freedom comes to life in picturebook format, and makes for an outstanding story.

THE BOOK WAS GREAT. IT EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS. THERE WAS EVEN A SMALL METAL NUTCRACKER BOOKMARKER WITH RED RIBBON TO MARK THE PAGES. THE GRANDCHILDREN LOVED IT.

This book is a treasure. My 8 yr. old daughter danced in the Nutcracker Suite Ballet and I got this book for her in place of the traditional flowers for her outstanding performance and she LOVED it and has read it several times over. The art in the book is beautiful and it is truly an heirloom book to be handed down for generations.

EAch year I purchase a music box and matching book for my niece, for Christmas. I am leary of ordering online for somehing I want to be very special. I was amazed at the quality of the cover, paper used , pictures...everything. It was a beautiful addition to her collection.

I have known David and Roger since the 70's and have other books by them. They love running foot races and it shows. You can count that this will be the best researched and well written book. I was not disappointed. I dug in and read the book over a couple of weeks. If it is not in this book then it is an unproved rumor.

If you are a runner (especially a marathoner) you have to get this book. It goes through every marathon in Olympic history, giving each race history, events, course, statistics, etc. It is very thorough, while pacing itself to get in all the Olympic marathons into a single volume. And, it was written in an interesting and readable manner.

The competition and sport of the races themselves give a great basis for an exciting read.

If you are doing a research project (like I was) this was the only book I would recommend - or, at least the first book. I could not find a book anywhere that showed the 1960 Rome Olympic course. Martin and Gynn had it. In fact, their race course map was better than the map a friend obtained for me from the Italian Olympic Library (Federazione Italiana Di Ateletica Leggera).

The authors, Martin and Gynn, have put together an unbelieveably detailed review of every Olympic Marathon in the modern era. The detail provided brings the excitement of each successive Marathon alive. The Olympic Marathon is, perhaps, the most grueling Olympic event, and the comprehensive coverage of each race makes the reader feel as if it's taking place before their very eyes. Read this book and you'll get a sense of the drama of the event, the personal history of the runners, and the historical setting of each race. The authors have even reconstructed old Olympic documents to trace the paths each Olympic Marathon took. The information in this book is truly encyclopedic, and the authors have given us with a wonderful sense of what this race is about. This book is a gem.

I really loved this book. It was a really inspirational story that made me laugh and really understand his experience. McQueen is an accomplished athlete and at the peak of his health had to undergo heart surgery. Very interesting read, I highly recommend it.

This is an interesting, honest and intelligent account of one man's effort to pursue his athletic passions, to hone his skills, and to live his life along the way. Anyone who has ever sought to achieve something of value to them and has had to face the detours life puts in the way will find the author to be a kindred spirit.

What a great book. I loved it. With humor and significance, Stephen McQueen tells a great story of his amazing athletic experiences, meeting the love of his life, and a horrifying heart surgery that left him weak and fragile. He describes his experiences in great detail and his story is quite compelling. Can't wait to read his next book.

This book has been handed from one person to another in my family & now has been read so much the pages are falling out. The advice in this book reminds me in many places of The Work/Byron Katie. It's not about an escape or a fix or setting ideals by which to live, but rather, paying attention to that which you are doing. I love that this book is not about extensive self examination or reflection: feelings come, they go, and in the meantime, take a walk, do the dishes, live your life. Don't wait to be happy to give your attention to this moment.

The first of Reynolds' books, _Playing Ball_ is the gateway book. From one perspective, this book with its emphasis on practical, pragmatic ways of coping with life is all you'll ever need. However, you may find it so useful and meaningful that you will want the rest of his books, too, for exactly the same reasons. They're all useful on a day-to-day basis. The best part of _Playing Ball on Running Water_ is that there is no filler, no b.s.. It is all practical, useful, immediate, sensible advice. No matter what shape your life is in, this book can make it better. And it doesn't hurt that Reynolds is an excellent writer.

"Playing Ball on Running Water" by David K. Reynolds is a book that advocates conscious living. The subtitle belays that concept, "The Japanese Way to Building a Better Life." Reynolds takes the Morita psychotherapeutic concepts and adapts them to Western life. The whole basis for this Morita approach is to live life by doing it. Doing it conscientious, with full awareness. This approach is based in Zen Buddhism and it is deceptively simple.

It is amazing that so many of us who are not present and get caught up worrying about the future and bemoaning the past. The book's contention is that we paralyze ourselves with thinking and speaking too much. Reynolds contends that we are not acting on life, not doing life, not actively observing where we are now and not noticing what is around us right now. "...every act provides the opportunity for purposeful accomplishment and personal growth. Every act can involve moments of directed attention."

The author's emphasis is on accepting the current state of being, not letting that keep you from moving on in life, and creating purposeful action. The doing is the important process, not the result. Not having your emotional state or your past keep you from going on at this moment is how Morita is applied. To put what Morita is succinctly, "...to teach students to accept feelings as they are, to know their purposes, and to do what needs to be done."

In summary, Reynolds does more than to illustrate what Morita psychotherapy is with client cases, with Zen Buddhist koans (puzzle), parables, and a clear process to follow. Reynolds gives the reader a blueprint to a life without regrets, to a life that you are fully responsible for.

This book is one of the best modern text so suitable for beginners who wish to pursue the study of palmistry. A book which is free of jargon and technicalities and is so easy to learn, to follow, to understand the whole book without any difficulty at all. Illustrations in the book are so well designed especially the deck cards for students to remember all that is necessary for hand reading. This book clearly presents all the fundamental knowledge of palmistry. I strongly this excellent modern text to all students and the laymen who wish to know what palmistry is all about.

K.F. Woon from Malaysia.

I've been lucky to have my hands read by the author. Her approach to palmistry is the opposite of the clichéd generalities that the average person has had at a `gypsy fortune-teller' or psychic show. Based on scientific method, I was astounded at the accuracy of her analysis. Marion pinpointed areas of my personality that I thought were known only to myself! It's a fantastic toolkit that is now available to anyone to analyze and understand themselves.

The slant of the book is on relationships: how to find if you are compatible with your mate, what will keep you together, or help you to discover why you're not seeing eye-to-eye. What's amazing is that a lot of it comes down to some very simple differences between the sexes, and Marion Gale has included tips using psychology and scientific studies to further comprehend specific personality traits. Her chapter on shyness I found to be particularly helpful in understanding this commoner-than-you-think characteristic - which often is the spur to great achievement in life.

I would recommend the large-format book which comes with the card deck - both beautifully designed in friendly, cheerful colours and a unique magnetic box. The cards are very easy to use - no hefty book to balance while you're peering at your hands: you just pick the card that matches what's in your hand, flip it over, and the explanation is on the back. The cards are great as gifts, and fun for a `girls' night in'. The book is an in-depth companion and has been both entertaining and enlightening to me. Very highly recommended!

This book is an absolute MUST HAVE for every girl or woman, who wishes to find and keep true love with a compatible partner. The author, Marion Gale, has helped hundreds of women (including myself) to rebuild their self-confidence and find happiness and harmony in their love-life. You can spend your youth trying to figure out human character, or waste years of your life (and tons of energy), trying to make relationships "work," or you can buy this book and learn how to figure out a person in a few minutes, by simply looking at his hands.
Once you carefully read the book, you can carry the convenient deck of cards in your purse and try to read people's hands (not just palms) every time you get the chance to. I promise, you will be amazed.
The book comes in a beautiful package (colorful glossy box), and it would make the perfect gift for your best friend, sister or daughter!