Professional Books

For parents interested in or beginning the adoption process, this book answers questions you would never have known to ask while clarifying the mysteries of the adoption system. For parents like me who have finalized two adoptions, it informs me of a wealth of options that are (or should be) available to help me and my children and gives me the strength and courage to seek those options. Thank-you to Babb and Laws for providing what I believe will be used as a workbook of knowledge in implementing services for children. I sincerely hope every family and professional that works with "special needs" children will take the time to read this wonderful, informative book. These children are our future...and Babb & Laws give us the much needed information to help them on their journey! Again, many thanks and blessings to the authors, Eileen W.!!!

Love is not all a child needs to make an adoption work, and the authors show us this truth in their vast personal and professional experience in adopting special needs children. Prospective adoptive parents of special needs children, both domestic and international, will greatly benefit from the important information and insights into critical emotional, educational and criminal issues dealt with in this wonderful book. I heartily recommend it to everyone.
Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?

Adopting and Advocating for the Special Needs Child is well written, interesting and knows its audience (written in layman's terms). This book should be given to all parents of foster children who are considering adoption.

This book should be required reading for everyone considering "Special Needs" adoption. I recommend the book be read before you start the process. It's a wealth of current information. This book is written so well that you will enjoy reading it.

If you are going to read only one book on adopting children with special needs let this be the one. With their vast personal and professional experience in adopting special needs children, Babb and Law clearly explain the most important information and most critical emotional issues which pre-adoptive parents need to consider. My husband and I have adopted three special needs children. This book helped us understand how to advocate for ourselves as we moved through the process of adoption, how to advocate for the children both before and after the adoption and how to address some of the many complex emotional issues faced by a family which chooses to care for and love special needs children. My hearfelt thanks go out to Rita Law and Anne Babb for this wonderful gift of book.

This book was nice .it was NEW.I never thought I will get a New book for less cost.

I have found this book of tremendous help in my work.

My first books on use cases focused more on UML rather than use cases. I did not give a hoot on use cases, because they look so simple on paper (and that's why I didn't buy a book specifically on use cases!) But as I grew as a developer, I began to believe that use case modelling if done well can significantly reduce development effort and bring about quality solutions. Use cases are the foundation to the understanding of the system that you are trying to develop. Use cases deserve serious attention.

The main problem with use cases is that you either don't know how to start or when to stop. This book tells you both. It tells you how to develop your use case model systematically from scratch and how to make provisions so that your use case model can grow. IMO, that's the main draw for this book.

The authors also give good insights on the possible approaches the reader can take to expand his/her use case model iteratively. It cautions the modeller to keep a balanced model so that stakeholders can understand, rather than one that specifies everything but gets bogged down by the details.

Semantics, you can get it elsewhere, but this book discusses it pretty well too. The examples are clear and relevant.

All in all, Frank and Granville did an excellent job covering the topic.

It is refreshing to a read a text that caters for those of use who already have experience in this domain and are seeking to develop their skills - without reverting to acadamia style writing. Useful examples, balanced descriptions, and an excellent coverage are all attributes of this text.

This book has some powerful advice for those projects that use Use Cases to drive their analysis and design efforts. It lays out a good process to follow for developing the Use Cases so you don't jump right into the details without a plan. Much of the advice is good Software Engineering practices, but a lot of people seem to forget that it still applies even when making use of newer techniques such as Use Cases.

The chapters pertaining to relating the Use Cases to other artifacts - such as test cases, the User Interface, and the Object Model - offer very practical and sound advice. You can tell that the authors have actually done it before and are speaking from experience and lessons learned.

The chapter explaining Extend Relationships offered the clearest and most complete description of the Extend Relationship that I have encountered.

All of the writing is very approachable and the examples sprinkled throughout the book and in the Appendixes are very helpful.

I strongly recommend this book!

If you understand Agile and your team adopts all the practices with success overnight, then this book is not for you. If like the rest of us you have an understanding of Agile, but need some help to go beyond a few superficial practices, then buy the book and use it!

Amr starts with the fundamentals of Agile, from its deep roots in team dynamics and individual attitudes, and then guide you towards building a strategy for Agile adoption - not a generic strategy, but one that is adequate for your team and your objectives. Once the strategy is defined, we can put the Agile patterns to good use, one at a time, in good order, while minding the impacts, consequences and pitfalls.

This was exactly the book I was looking for. For my longer review, please refer to: http://freedomforideas.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/agile-adoption-patterns-1-2-3/.

Proven patterns for succeeding with Agile in an organization are presented in a series of case studies and hands-on exercises in Agile Adoption Patterns: a Roadmap to Organizational Success. Here are the most common stumbling points teams face in implementing strategy, along with tips on how to teach, train, and bring customers on board to an agile environment. Any Agile project manager will find this an excellent series of tips, making this perfect for software engineering collections.

There are many books about the theories and practices that are encompassed in the word "agile". Quite a number of them are quite good in terms of addressing the specific practices and how to implement them. It you want to learn Scrum or XP, there is no shortage of books and how-to materials, along with plenty of advice.

This book, however, addresses the goal of agile adoption from a new perspective - patterns of behavior and thought, and how to specifically leverage and/or address them. It addresses this from the organizational/team perspective, rather than the individual perspective, which makes it particularly valuable for those of us who are working in an organizational transformation/agile adoption environment.

While it might seem that "patterns" would appeal to the techies in its audience, my experience is that Amr has managed to frame his work in terms and concepts that are readily understood by all. This book is readily digestible by non-technical managers and staff, as well as by those of us who have spent/currently spend our time in a technology environment. It is not necessary to understand what design patterns are, for instance, to understand the patterns in this book.

For those who are either anticipating agile adoption or actively engaged in it, or even those who are struggling with what seems to be a failed adoption, this book is required reading. The way in which the patterns are presented, the clear and pragmatic exercises described to help work through them, and the suggestions for ways to approach it all are just what's needed.

Real world, pragmatic, easy to read, and easy to digest - that's what this book is all about.

It will be on my desk and heavily thumbed in short order.

There are plenty of excellent books available that explain agile practices. What has been missing until now is the guidance to apply them. Amr's approach to achieving agile practices is filling a need that has been felt by many for several years now. Amr takes an excellent approach to identifying the best means of applying agile techniques based on a combination of business needs and project pains. This approach stays focused on delivering business value to the enterprise as they move towards agile practices.

Amr has an excellent writing style that is both concise and entertaining delivering information in a manner that can be absorbed in bite-sized chunks and applied as needed based on the initial needs assessment. After identifying the business needs or pains the best agile practices to deliver the value or reduce the pain are described in a manner that determines which practices will deliver the best value to meet your identified needs.

I highly recommend that you pick up this book if you are either planning to adopt agile practices, struggling to adopt agile practices or are looking to enhance the agile practices that you currently employ. Well done Amr.

There are many things I like about this book, not the least of which is that it is true to the "spirit" of patterns and agile -- it does not promise easy answers or quick fixes but offers down-to-earth advice based on experience. The patterns do a good job of capturing that experience but the way the patterns are written, with "threads" of stories throughout is not only convincing but enjoyable reading. I like being able to follow the real-life adventures of the same developers who struggle to solve real problems across several patterns. I also like the case study in Chapter 46 where a real company with real problems does a pretty good job of moving forward, but it's not a "and they all lived happily ever after" scenario. We're overwhelmed with books and advice these days, so it's nice to see someone who offers help and hope but not hype!

Has your school district cut back on the arts. This book will help you intergrate art into social studies and Langauge Arts. In addition to the excelent lessons, the format is easily adaptable to author/illustrators.

This book has been a lifesaver for my art classes. The students love for me to read the stories as they are working on their art project! Which keeps them very quiet!! Never before have I seen so many great stories of so many great artist all in one book! Any art teacher will love it!!

This book is a marvelous resource for all teachers, but especially art teachers. The author has researched art from all times and places and then written stories that will delight children as they draw them into other worlds through art. The bibliographies alone are worth the price of the book.

We are a homeschooling family and this book has been an absolute treasure for our learning adventures. Saccardi's book shares information on the history of art during each time period, stories about the artists, suggestions for famous works of that artist to show, journaling exercises and recommended art projects done in the method or similar style of the artist you are studying.

We've used this book along with our history. When we started with ancient history and nomads we studied cave paintings and drew chalk pictures on brown grocery sacks. When we reached the Middle Ages we found a kit to help us do illumination. When we reached American history we painted historical scenes on large sheets of tagboard in effort to paint like Benjamin West. I'm very careful about money spent on materials and this book is one I've never regretted buying. I'm so glad to see it in print again so others can discover it!

-Jeanne

This is one of the only books I've seen that approaches teaching art in a holistic, content-rich manner. The author has compiled a wonderful set of resources. Each section begins with a brief overview of the period or style being discussed....very helpful refresher. This is followed by a story about the artist that really captures the kids' attention. There is no need for extensive research on your own, the author has done it for you. She provided extensive lists of resources for each topic, along with a brief comment about each. I am a National Board Certified Teacher, with experience and think this book is one of the best finds ever, a must-have resource for art teachers!

Of all the book on advertising I've read, this is by far my top pick. It's an easy read and extremely insightful. I started my career as an advertising recruiter and this book helped inspire me to make my move into an agency. The chapters are very well laid out, interspersed with humorous anecdotes and personal examples.

I would recommend this book to anyone remotely connected to the advertising industry and even those who are not, as its advice transcends the advertising world. For the aspiring advertising professional it will provide a comprehensive introduction to the business side of advertising and I believe even the most seasoned advertising executive would find this a delight to read.

I know I will continue to reference this book throughout the rest of my career. Don't forget to check out the reading list which includes both classics of advertising literature as well as the latest influential books!

I found this book to be very, very useful (and funny)! A quick and valuable read.

It provides a philosophy of client service, and real-life examples, both of which are necessary and useful. (The real-life examples especially help the principles in the book come to life.) I have never found another book on how to service an advertising client -- this fills a big void. And because of its price, it is an excellent value.

Great book, highly recommend it. I had my copy "borrowed" by several people already!

(I also thought this book applies to client service in many other industries, not just advertising ...)

I bought a number of copies of the first edition of this book and gave them away to co-workers in the account services business. I looked everywhere for more copies and welcomed the new edition. Well done, Robert! This book is a must for ad agency service people and anyone else who deals with clients.

It almost doesn't matter what you do, chances are "service" -- from understanding, waiting on, performing for, pleasing to just plain getting along with others -- plays a part in your working life. That's why this book is relevant. It disguises itself as a book about best practices in a specific business (advertising) but it's really about best practices for succeeding at being professional in all kinds of businesses.

It's smart, funny, a very engaging read. And swift -- you could sit down and read the thing in a single session. (The size of the book is great, too. Unusual. Charming). But there's nothing "slight" about it. It's really useful. And it's particularly useful for people beyond the usual target of a (ostensibly) "business" book.

This author gives you what you need to know to get ahead, stay ahead or get back in the game -- whether you're working at Saks, on a motion graphics team at Pixar, or are a freelance creative like me -- who now needs to know how to do what people like the author used to do for me when I was inside an agency.

We're all in "service" to a better idea. This book gives you lots of ideas to help you do what you do better.

Hi, my name is Alana Renfro and I am a graphic and web designer for interactive and advertising agencies. The 2003 edition of The Art of Client Service was the first one that I read when I first joined the agency world... and I loved it! Many of the ideas are common sense, but it is written in an engaging, informative and most importantly- memorable- style.

Coming from the Creative side, it is helpful to understand the Accounts point-of-view, best practices and useful to implement them into your own daily practices. Many of the suggestions and rules laid out in this book are easily implemented into your life, especially if you are a one-stop shop or solopreneur!

The 2008 edition I now own and it is even better! There are new chapters, an updated bibliography for you fellow avid readers, and even more practical service examples. I highly recommend this book- get the 2008 edition, study it, implement it and become known for your phenomenal understanding of clients, creatives and accounts... and laugh a little bit, too.

Three classic volumes from Donald Knuth. I have the 3rd edition. Once your get pass understanding MIX ( MMIX, 4th edition), it is a great technical read. Bring so much to Computer Science. I used them in school. I use them today.

Combinatorial problems arise in a wide range of contexts. Among combinatorial problems, generation of all distinct sets of some size (tuples) or all rearrangements of the objects (permutations) occur commonly, often as the first step in a larger calculation. Knuth addresses some important classes of such problems in this book.

Even "all possible permutations" leaves a wide range of choices open. For example, should the list be in alphabetical order? Should it minimize the number of differences between consecutive elements? Many other constraints can be imposed as well, even esthetic ones! "Ringing the changes" on a carillon is one such combinatorial problem, with a long history and criteria for beauty all its own. However choices are made, the next step is to specify a way of creating the list. This can have constraints of its own. For example, it may be neccesary to create the next arrangement in the sequence knowing only the current element of the sequence. Knuth offers different algorithms for meeting different sets of constraints. If none of them match your needs, then the references will help you find something that does, or the discussion and exercises will help you develop one of your own.

Although useful, this book is very brief. 144 pages isn't a lot. Take away 45 pages just for solutions to exercises, then more for index and exercises, and the text is surprisingly brief. What's left carries its weight, though. It's a valuable addition to almost programmer's library.

-- wiredweird

Am studying Gray codes for graduate paper. This was an excellent resource. Fun and interesting read.

This preliminary excerpt from Knuth's Volume 4 will please all the fans of his seminal first three volumes. The didactic style is the same. So too is the very distinctive Tex typeface. (You know that he invented Tex, don't you?)

Of course, there are the problem sets. This little book has two sections. In each are 112 problems. Strewth! Knuth thoughtfully gives an estimate next to each of how long it will take you to solve it. Those estimates probably refer to someone of his calibre. I've attempted most of the problems in his earlier volumes and could typically only get within a factor of two of the time estimate. And this was only when I could actually solve a problem.

The book addresses a gap in the literature of computer science. Research papers in journals or books of conference proceedings do not usually present you with problems. While introductory texts do, but those are simple. Very difficult to find a solid compendium of challenging problems.

Such is the attraction of this book to me and perhaps to you. The potential readership is exclusive and self selecting. The only drawback is the wait for the rest of Volume 4.

First, I would like to say this is the first Donald Knuth book I have read, only because every programmer respects TAOCP so much that they say it is too hard for the hobby programmer. I have a small background in Computer Science, and some mid-level Math; yet Knuth walks you through some of the most exciting Computer Science problems you could ever dream of with ease! I came to find this book perfect, mostly because my favorite Programming problem is the Traveling Salesman, this book as well as fasicles 3 and 4, are the perfect reference to find great ways to venture into the unsolved TSP Algorithm, and the feared Hamilitonian Cycle.

Reading about gray generation I immediatly found so much more value to this book than I ever expected. As well, the book then jumps into ways to use loopless generation( which blew my mind! ). Then the best part comes in the second half of the book, "Generating All Permutations" First it starts with a brute force method for achieving all permutations, then Algorithm L to G(my favorite algorithm in the book...) is the largest hurtle in the book; I actually bought the whole TAoCP volumes so I could get through this part because it goes over permutation pre-multiplication ( Knuth has a better way of defining this ), although the idea is simple, an effective way to implement and explore pre-multiplication I found to be extremely important and should not be over looked. Then after that the diffictulty goes to equal as the first half.

In summary this book is deffinitly worth the wait, and it helps a person, no matter how experienced, to explore new ways to venture out of the straight and narrow, and into an arena of problems that few dare to venture.

This CD set is well executed and a must have for any sales professional looking to improve their skills, but it is also great for anyone just starting out in sales. The author delivers the program extremely well in an easy to follow format. It also makes a great gift for your sales team!

If you have something to sell (even yourself) William Fitzpatrick's program is for you. I highly recommend it. It gets results.

This is one of the best sales tools I have found on the market in recent years. The information contained within will not only help people new to the sales world, it will also help seasoned professionals. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking to improve their sales skills and help close the sale more often.

Great value. Brings out positive habits that are often missed. A must read for seasoned salesperson and great tool for new sales staff.

This cd set has excellent information and proven tips for increasing your sales. If you or your team is having trouble closing sales this is a must have for your business. Mr. Fitzpatrick brings his years of sales knowledge into a format that is not only practical but easy to implement.
Every time we listen to these cd's we find new ideas to implement. This cd is great for any industry including retail as well as services such as real estate, banking, even for restaurant owners!
Don't do business without it!

Anyone working in the theatre should own a copy of this book. As a theatre instructor and artistic director, it is so helpful to have a detailed and easy guide to assist my student actors. Very informative and inspirational!

"Guide to working in Regional Theatre" has been quite inspiring as a young man trying to make my way in the world of theatre. The book is great and serves as a reminder as to why I fell in love with the theatre in the first place.

At last! A book for those of us disinclined to make Broadway or Los Angeles our theatre homes. Whoever said you can't make a living working in regional theatre...had obviously never read this book.

Dr. Volz's book is inspiring and knowledgeable; as a former managing director for the wildly successful Alabama Shakespeare Festival and president of Consultants for the Arts, you can be sure that the man knows EXACTLY what he's talking about!

This book and his other masterwork, How to Run a Theater: A Witty, Practical and Fun Guide to Arts Management have absolutely changed my life. I have been trained in the performing arts; now all I can think of is running my own company, and working in regional theatre.

Both books are inspiring, witty, fun reads. TRULY recommended. This reviewer has already worked for the Tony-award winning South Coast Repertory Theatre as well as having her own regional theatre projects financed by benevolent arts patrons...with no little help from the wisdom of Dr. Jim. :)

I have been searching for clues on how to break into the theatre industry, and Jim Volz tells you exactly how to break on through! He gives you the tools to overcome your fears, and the information that will get you that dream job. This book will change your life!

I am just about to graduate with a degree in theatre, most of the people I talk with (my parents included) don't think that people actually get paid to make theatre. But this book eliminates all their fears and mine too. I didn't really know where to start looking for jobs or interships Jim Volz's books gave me a start and actually did most of the research for me. I now have a stack of internship and job applications in progress and many sent off. I have already been offered two internships with a leading regional theatres in California.
This book is so much more that a vast resource to find jobs and learn about theatres, it also give thought provoking advice (from networking skills to understanding human behavior and more)and not just for working in the theatre but living life. A big plus is that amoung all the information are witty stories about life in the regional theatre from leaders in this field.
I am being completly truthful about this book changing my life, without it I would mostly likely be lost in the crazy expanses of the internet still searching for one percent of the information found in this book.

Backyard Grilling - Grill Like A Professional is not alot of hype. This book really delivers! Anything you ever wanted to know about grilling is in this book. For example, I learned so much about rubs and marinating that my food has been terrific since I purchased this book. Any "Dummy" can follow the suggestions and enjoy great food! The recipes are easy to follow, with language that is easy for a beginner to understand. Thanks for such a great guide. Buy it, you'll be glad you did!!!

As the man of the house, I consider myself a capable griller. Chef McPeake's Backyard Grilling book has elevated me to a new level of outdoor cooking! His very creative recipes have given me a whole new outlook on what I can prepare on the grill. ( Who knew you could do an outstanding Jamabalya on the grill?)

I am an absolute novice at grilling, and not a great cook! BUT, this book is so down to earth and easy to understand that I have been thrilled with the results! I can easily follow the directions, and the steps are not difficult. I can now confidently invite company to enjoy what I do on the grill! Thanks Chef McPeake!

If you have always liked to grill but wanted to take your grilling to the next levels, THIS IS THE BOOK! Diagrams about grills, heat, coals, etc. plus an abundance of dishes. Every single recipe I wanted to try out. I can't wait to have a Clam Bake, grill the best burgers, whip together that incredible bbq sauce, dry rub my steaks, and have a margarita chicken party. These are fun, simple, and will bring anyone to the next level.
Perfect timing for the summer!

Chef Richard McPeake's classes at The Culinary Center of Kansas City are some of our most popular. The students report back often that he is one of the best teachers they have ever experienced. We think it is because he gives loads of clear and concise grilling information to our students and he tells it like it is. No secrets...just solid information. If you want to learn to grill at home the right way then this is the book for you.

What a great collection! This is a wonderful read. I've heard many aviation poems before - but, this compilation has them all. Enjoy!

At the end of a Naval Aviator-Commercial Pilot career, I wish I had this volume for my family (and myself) during all those years. It puts into lyrical words the thoughts and feelings of "being a bird" and why I am what I am. A good read and a bedside book. We owe Reda one at the bar.

Col Reda has done a truly impressive job in colecting and selecting poems for this marvelous anthology. All the classics are included but it the quality of the lesser known poems that sets this book apart. A must have book for every pilot, and for those who love them.

Everyone who has experienced flight (and those who long to) can relate to the sheer emotion that it evokes, sometimes from deep within ones soul, often pleasant, sometimes not. As you are experiencing the sensations you may frequently be too caught up in the moment to express yourself with words, well, here they are. Yes they are others experiences, but you will find very many which match yours close enough to be called your own. Flight as many other "Romantic" adventures has it's way of engraving itself on your heart. These are exceptional expressions of a wide variety of flight forms, there's something here for everyone. A must for the enthusiasts bookshelves.

An excellent collection of aviation poetry that contains something for everyone. I recommend keeping the book bedside for some enjoyable light reading every night. The variety and notoriety of the authors is impressive.