Book Description
Praise for Chocolates on the Pillow Aren't Enough
"Jonathan recognizes that in today's Internet-fed, savvy-consumer world, it is the people-to-people connections, regardless of price point, that differentiate a customer's experience. Gimmicks come and go, but without sincere and caring people delivering the overall experience, from start to finish, well, it's true--chocolates on the pillow are not enough. A great read!"
—David Neeleman, founder and CEO, JetBlue Airways Corporation
"If you don't work for your customer, you're not doing your job. Who better to turn to for lessons in great customer experiences than Jonathan Tisch? He has long been one of the most respected leaders in travel and hospitality, and when it comes to treating all customers like guests, to put it simply, he gets it. And then some."
—Millard S. Drexler, Chairman and CEO, J. Crew Group
"What brings customers back to my restaurants? Why do viewers watch my TV show? It's more than Bam! It's delivering a kicked-up customer experience. Tisch is the guy who knows how to do this best. His book gives the inside scoop on how to excite your customers and bring 'em back for more."
—Emeril Lagasse
"Attention to detail, passion, and dedication are a few of the things that made me successful as an athlete. Jonathan knows that by doing the same in business, you maximize the customer's experience and outscore the competition."
—Tiki Barber
Customer Reviews:
Interesting but lacks cohesiveness.......2007-08-28
Jonathon Tisch is Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels, one of the premier hotel groups in the world. In Chocolates on the pillow aren't enough, he takes us beyond some simplistic (but important) customer centric concepts to show us how to re-invent the customer experience. If you are looking for a book that describes the hotel business, you need to look somewhere else, because Tisch and co-author Karl Weber take us far beyond the walls of Loews Hotels.
Tisch endeavors to show how to engineer the total customer experience by in effect re-imagining the customer experience.
Tisch writes about The Hospitable Organization - Turning customers into guests. Here he shows how Gerry Levin, former CEO of AOL Time Warner is re- imagining health care although it should be noted that his concept is only suitable for extremely wealthy people.
To some extent the book lacks continuity and a real sense of cohesiveness as we are taken through numerous concepts to re-invent the customer experience.
Concepts include;
Home away from Home: The art of welcoming customers
One size does not fit all: The new art of customization
Let me introduce you: Customer communities in an interactive world
Everyone is welcome: The challenges of customer diversity
This is not a standard customer service book but the benefit of this book is that it will help you to think through some potentially new customer centric solutions that may help you grow your business.
ho hum - buy this used. .......2007-07-02
If you have been living under a rock and have no clue about trends in customer service over the past few years - this is a good book. However, if you have ever studied the Dell customer experience and looked at successful retailers, or unless you want to read an infomercial for Loew's hotels, your money is better spent elsewhere. I found the constant references to Loew's hotels annoying given the chain isn't exactly the pinnacle of the customer experience. The anecdotes could have come from any number of fine hotels around the globe. You're better off buying this used or looking elsewhere. This work is neither eye opening nor inspiring. I found myself reading it quickly in order to drop it off in a reading room instead of allowing such garbage to take up room in my carry on bag. You can go to the Villa Andarra in Bali (which in spite of being a small hotel, connects well with its guest) to read my copy for free.
Give Your Best, Then A Little Bit More.......2007-06-05
Jonathan Tisch's "Chocolates On The Pillow Are Not Enough" is a must read for anyone who is in the business of serving people - whether in the private, the non-profit, or the public sectors. (I have extrapolated the application of Tisch's ideas to organizations that are not commercial enterprises). Tisch translates his years of experience and observation as a hotelier to address both the why and the how of "meeting a challenge that never ends." It is the challenge of creating deeper, richer, more satisfying connections to your organization in today's complex, rapidly changing world. While you can get closure on a number of key management tasks, you can never declare "mission accomplished" when connecting with customers,employees, or donors. Like other relationships in life, a relationship with any stakeholder is a long-lasting, evolving, living entity.
Themes and practices in "Chocolates" are drawn from some of the world's smartest and most successful organizations including In-N-Out Burger, McDonalds, Dell, Sephora, Commerce Bank (NJ), Virgin Healthcare, Revolution On-line (Steve Case), Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Target, E-Z Pass, 311 phone exchange, Harley Davidson, and EBay. Any reader is bound to find one, two, or three exciting ideas that can be applied immediately in his/her own organization. Tisch adds "Big Aha's" at the end of each chapter summarizing the key thoughts/actions making the book a useful reference.
Tisch provides the hotelier's secret (people remember the experience not the attributes), and answers to the question "What happened to my customers?"(in world beset by discord, inequality, hyper-partisan politics, and the threat of terror). He helps us to re-imagine the customer experience and focuses our attention on creating customers who are happy to buy.
A most valuable part of the book for all will be the sections on the "The Art of Welcome." This is something most companies (and in particular, non-profits) do not give attention to, whether with customers, new employees, or suppliers. Tisch warns us to pay attention to the decompression zone, where people enter, and THEIR threshold resistance. We must learn to understand what makes people feel welcome, comfortable and relaxed. If we do, they want to buy (the customer), or make a significant contribution (the new employee, supplier, or donor).
"Chocolates" highlights why the art of the welcome is crucial to all organizations. And Tisch chides us to give our best, and then, a little bit more.
Lots of solid customer experience know-how.......2007-05-09
The book has two main sections - a problem/solution statement and a (much longer) section on "Reimagining the Customer Experience". Each chapter has a "Big Ahas" section at the end to summarize the critical points Jonathan is trying to make and the book is generally well-written and an easy read. It is a little hotel- or hospitality-industry centric but not more than you would expect given his background.
The first section lays out why the authors think that customers are more fickle and harder to please than in the past. Arguing that there is no way to turn back the clock, they talk about "getting back to basics" and creating stronger, longer-lasting ties to customers. He quotes the CEO of Proctor and Gamble "People remember experiences. They don't remember [product] attributes." The book talks about engineering the total customer experience as the solution, starting by focusing on the totality of the customers experience across every touchpoint. Among his solution ideas are looking for ways to give your customers both simplicity and flexibility, thinking about all the touchpoints your customers have, linking with customers directly even if you are not selling directly and that customers are a moving target.
The second part has a series of chapters, most of which had some great points. These range from discussion of the power of personalization and customization in making customers feel in control and happy to buy, to the challenges of providing security. He is a big proponent of transparency, arguing that what one customers knows all will soon know and that you can get real benefits out of being more transparent. He argues that even big organizations can think small in terms of welcoming customers that you should build your future with existing customers.
All in all a good and worthwhile read. You might want to consider The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More also.
Great examples of companies that innovative with customer experiences.......2007-04-07
I got off to a slow start reading this book, stopping and restarting several times, but eventually once about 25% through the book it drew me in with its superb examples. It's made me rethink a couple things about my business as well!
This book may be frustrating for people in any kind of customer service at companies where they cannot improve the customer experience because of "rules" and mindset, but may encourage them to leave and go somewhere they'll be appreciated more.
For anyone in a position of any authority at an organization with lots of customers, especially less than very happy customers, this book is a great and insightful read.
Book Description
In an ideal world, mothers would have time to hand-sew their kids' costumes for the school play, prepare all-organic meals, and volunteer in the classroom at the drop of a hat. In reality, most moms have to settle for plopping their little ones in front of SpongeBob so that they can prepare yet another chicken nugget-based dinner, guiltily convinced they're falling down on the job.
In Good-Enough Mother, René Syler pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth about modern mothering and reassure time-stressed moms that even if their children are strangers to made-from-scratch cookies, they can emerge as happy, well-adjusted, fully functioning members of society. Mother to two great kids of her own, Syler explains how she learned to chuck perfection for practicality -- in short, how she became a Good-Enough Mother. She shows other women seeking to balance family, work, and some semblance of a personal life how to happily join the ranks of Good-Enough Mothers, who occasionally serve breakfast for dinner yet give their children plenty of what really matters -- love, time, and support.
Each essay provides welcome empathy and sage advice on navigating life's different obstacles, whether it's dealing with annoying Supermoms, bluffing through a third grader's math homework, or coping with the words that strike terror into every parent's heart ("Your son's teacher on line one"). Offering real wisdom tempered with humor and warmth, Good-Enough Mother will have every modern mom laughing in relief and recognition.
Customer Reviews:
Good Memoir...Okay Parenting Book.......2007-07-30
I would have given this book more stars if it had been marketed differently. I think my problem with this book was viewing it as a type of parenting book. If it had instead been put into the memoir category, then I might have enjoyed it more.
I do appreciate the author's message that parents do not have to all-perfect beings. But I think I got that message somewhere in Chapter 2 or 3 and I could have skipped reading the rest of the book which was full of the author's family stories.
Instead of putting this in the parenting books, the publisher should have targeted it to working women as a "My Life in the Trenches" book. Because I think most working women are already doing a lot of what Ms. Syler recommends and could identify with her feelings and approach towards many situations.
So, if you are a fan of Ms. Syler's, then read the book and you'll get a great view of her life and her family and plenty of examples of how she puts her parenting theories into practice. And you'll learn about her house-hunting, and her shopping and bill paying habits, and her childhood, etc. This is a fun read about her day-to-day life with her family.
But if you are looking for a book that is reader-focused and targeted towards solving the readers' particular issues, then look elsewhere.
Good Idea, But Kind of Repetitive.......2007-06-27
I liked the basic premise of the author admitting that she has flaws and shortcomings in the motherhood department. As women, we often measure our self-worth by comparing ourselves to others, so it's always comforting to read that there's another mother out there who also feels like she isn't perfect. However, there are only so many chapters I can read about this topic. It seemed like EVERY chapter was the same: some anecdote about the antics of the author's children, a cutesty self-depricating remark about the author's foibles in the face of said antics, and then the author bragging that she came through when it really counted.
Good Enough Mother- Not good enough.......2007-06-08
Not well written, and just not interesting. A dual $100K+ earning household where the mom is off work early, and complains about it all. Also it gets boring that her daughter is perfect in every way, and I guess she finds it funny to tear apart her son and everything he does.
Overall, it is just not funny, interesting, or relatable to us real-life hard working struggling moms.
You're not alone!.......2007-05-21
Just to know that I, a mother who loves her kids, but is not a perfect person, am not alone in my quest to just "break even" a a "good enough mom" is refreshing. It seems like there are so many stories where mothers are either disgustingly (and not to mention, unrealistically) adept or on the other hand, completly incapable. I was so greatful to finally have someone with whom I can connect!
Fun to Read.......2007-05-13
I bought this book for my daughter-in-law because she is so organized and wants everything the best. Her new daughter is only 6 weeks old, and I wanted her to see that everything won't be perfect every time. I also wanted for her to have fun while gaining some introspect into motherhood.
Book Description
Leadership expert Dr. John C. Maxwell knows that people are never successful by talent alone, and in this book he outlines the 13 crucial things you can do to maximize your natural talents and become a "Talent-plus" person.
Customer Reviews:
Strength Approach Fans.......2007-08-23
Not so many "management gurus" believe in "strength approach" like John C Maxwell and even some of his ways are included in the Cliffton's Talents,this book show us the ways how to use our Talents.
If you can change your paradigm from Deficit Approach to Strength Approach, which is more productive, more simple and better communication, I recomend you to read this book.
Life Changing book for those who have raw talent.......2007-08-06
I have just finished one of the greatest books written for people with talent by John Maxwell. "Talent is never enough." I want to encourage all of you to read this book. This has been one of the best reads of my life. Here is a great quote and then a summary of the 13 areas that add to our talent.
I challenge each of you to do this exercise, it will build the team you are a part of. "For the next two weeks, make a commitment to yourself to take no credit for anything that goes right. Praise your employees, co-workers, colleagues, and family members for their contributions. Note the difference it makes in their performance and your relationship with them. I believe that once you've tired it, you will enjoy giving the credit away so much that it will become a regular part of your life."
1. Belief lifts my talent.
2. Passion energizes my talent.
3. Initiative activates my talent
4. Focus directs my talent.
5. Preparation positions my talent.
6. Practice sharpens my talent.
7. Perseverance sustains my talent.
8. Courage tests my talent.
9. Teachability expands my talent.
10. Character protects my talent.
11. Relationships influence my talent.
12. Responsibility strengthens my talent.
13. Teamwork multiplies my talent.
As a team, my hope is that we can help each other grow to new heights daily. Adopt one of these and work on them daily. For me, courage and Perseverance have been a weakness of mine, however, after reading this book I feel like these two weaknesses will turn into great strengths.
Great Book .......2007-05-21
This book is great especially for those who may feel that they can solely get by on just talent. The book is well written and details what how important it is not to just rely on the talent you have.
This book is a good choice.......2007-05-14
John Maxwell has written dozens of books, and I was told by a friend who follows the author that this might be his best. Strong praise for someone who has written some great books.
I was not disappointed. While I have only read two other books by Mr. Maxwell, this one is fantastic. It was inspiring and motivational and is the type of book that couples advice with actions steps.
I keep a list of all books I read each year. Those that are exceptional get a star next to them. Talent Is Never Enough got two stars.
enlightening.......2007-05-12
Gives an outstanding insight into a topic that most people never truly understand. An incredible point of view mixed with great quotes and interesting stories.
Book Description
For everyone who craves a simpler lifestyle, not only in how they live but also where they live, The Simple Home features 21 houses and presents six different approaches to creating a home that realizes its full potential both simply and elegantly.
We are living in complex times, in a commodified, virtual, and overstimulated culture. One response to high levels of complexity and overstimulation is to look for yet another gadget or closet organizer to simplify our lives. But the answer lies somewhere else. The road to a simpler more satisfying life begins with a clear-eyed examination of the choices we are making for our time--and that includes choices about where we want to live.
The Simple Home presents six paths to simplicity, each illustrated by human-scaled, unadorned homes with straightforward floor plans and forms. These are open, light-filled homes (with rooms or spaces that are often multipurpose) that express their beauty in their utility and practicality. Simple homes are low maintenance and often green, designed for homeowners who wish to embody a different set of values in their housing choices than the run-of-the-mill starter castles littering the landscape.
The 6 Paths to Simplicity:
1. Simple is Enough
2. Simple is Thrifty
3. Simple is Flexible
4. Simple is Timeless
5. Simple is Sustainable
6. Simple is Refined
Customer Reviews:
Houses that live large for their owners.......2007-08-17
Wonderful case studies about 20 homes with good explanations about material choices, site considerations, and the people who own them. It's a Taunton Press book, so the photos are great, of course. I especially like the floor plan illustrations that support the photos and give a sense of flow through the houses.
Eye-opening book.......2007-08-04
This book is amazing! The pictures are great, and so well coordinated with the text that the reader can truly "see" each house. For anyone dreaming of a second home, or a more efficient first home, this is an ideal volume.
Defines the concept of a 'simple home' .......2007-07-08
Sarah Nettleton's THE SIMPLE HOME: THE LUXURY OF ENOUGH defines the concept of a 'simple home' and offers interior design tips to achieving satisfaction from a basic home design. This involves eliminating non-essentials and practicing restraint: six avenues to achieving a 'greener' lifestyle from this approach blends full-page color photos with comments on designs which refine and simplify the home - perfect for new students of interior design and homeowners contemplating reconstruction.
Great Book!.......2007-05-14
Wonderful pictures! This book has so many great stories of the home and how people really make their houses simple and comfortable.
Hmmm?.......2007-05-12
My copy came with many scratches on the dust cover and a broken binding when I opened the book. As far as the contents...I was expecting more of a layman friendly simple life-style type approach. Instead I felt like I was buying a book a self-contractor could use. My perusal indicated more about architecture as opposed to simplifying home content. Not a happy camper with this book. I returned it.
Book Description
âIt is rare to find one individual with such a wide range of knowledge in the design-related fields. And, because of his experience as a designer, Shel brings a sensitivity and understanding to administrative issues while still respecting the artistic side of our industry.â
â
Frank Maddocks, President, Maddocks & Company
This comprehensive guide includes everything designers needâbesides talentâto turn their artistic success into business success. You’ll find information on key issues facing designers from freelancing to the management of established design firms. A strong visual focus and to-the-point text take the fear factor out of learning about thorny business realities like staffing, marketing, bookkeeping, intellectual property, and more. These smart business practices are essential to success in graphic, Web, and industrial design. Here are just a few of the things you’ll learn:
• How to get on the right career path
• How to market your services successfully
• The best way to determine pricing for your services
• How to avoid common legal pitfalls
• How to structure projects for success
• The secrets of successful teams
• How to sustain your business long-term
Talent Is Not Enough provides a big-picture context for these and other challenges and shares practical, real-world advice. The book is destined to become an essential resource for both students and working professionals in these areas and more:
• Design planning and strategy
• Corporate identity development
• Marketing communications
• Publication and editorial design
• Brand identity and packaging design
• Advertising and promotion design
• Motion graphics
• Environmental design
• Industrial design
• Interaction design
BONUS
Watch for free chapters online!
www.talentisnotenough.com
Customer Reviews:
useful books.......2006-08-12
the book have quite a lot of words but easy to understand, quite useful book for designers that can have more input not just design elements but to enrich on design direction
THE Guide for Freelancers.......2006-07-27
I've been a freelance designer for many years and have read many books and papers on the business-side of design. I have to say that Perkins' book is the most thorough, easiest-to-understand guide on the ins and outs of freelancing I've read to date. The book is a practical guide on how to meander through the process of running a design organization - whether you're a one-person shop or a full-fledged agency. This book is a must-have for the serious design professional.
Average customer rating:
- Review: Love is Never Enough
- Excellent book!
- Great book, but some shortcomings.....
- Sustaining a relationship
- It really gives us ground for changes
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Love Is Never Enough: How Couples Can Overcome Misunderstandings, Resolve Conflicts, and Solve
Aaron T. Beck
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Accessories:
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ASIN: 0060916044 |
Book Description
With eloquence and accessibility, Dr. Aaron T. Beck analyzes the actual dialogue of troubled couples to illuminate the most common problems in marriage--the power of negative thinking, disillusionment, rigid rules and expectations, and miscommunication.
Customer Reviews:
Review: Love is Never Enough.......2007-08-23
I purchased this book for a couple who were in need of some "3rd party" assistance to help them with communicating with each other. My understanding from the husband is that the information contained in the book has proved very helpful.
Excellent book!.......2006-07-14
I felt this book was insightful, consise, and most importantly helpful. The strategies in this book focus on automatic thoughts, your perception of your mate, and how to foster good communication. The tone of the book is very friendly and non confrontational.
If your relationship is in trouble, or you just want to improve your relationships, this is a good book to get.
Great book, but some shortcomings............2006-03-28
This is a great book on cognitve therapy as it applies to relationships. It is well-written, rigorous and illustrates important points with useful examples.
This book goes way beyond what you might see in a pop psychology book and the material is presented in a way that it can be applied. It also provides a useful framework for understanding cogntive therapy in general.
What I feel is missing from this approach is honoring basic compatability. While emotions are strongly linked to thought, there is more to making a relationship work than working through communication patterns and automatic thoughts.
A useful complimentary book is "Will Our Love Last" by Sam Hamburg. This book looks at the aspects of relationship having to do with compatability along three dimensions... chemistry, what he calls wavelength and practical everyday living. This approach provides an alternative lens to look at what is going on beyond the cognitive aspects of the couple's situation.
Sustaining a relationship.......2004-07-19
Aaron T. Beck MD, is the father of cognitive therapy and professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. His books on depression and anxiety broke new ground in the field of psychotherapy by demonstrating the power of breaking the link between automatic thoughts and emotional reactions. He married Judge Phyllis Beck in 1950 and the couple is blessed with children and grandchildren.
I have often been frustrated by the destructive habit patterns that emerge in my relationships. LOVE IS NEVER ENOUGH has helped me to understand their origin and more importantly, how to remove them. It has been a valuable tool not only for my personal but also my spiritual relationships.
Dr Beck writes that, _The essence of marital cognitive therapy consists of exploring with troubled partners their unrealistic expectations, self-defeating attitudes, unjustified negative explanations, and illogical conclusions. Through a tune-up of their ways of drawing conclusions about each other and talking to each other, partners have been helped by cognitive therapy to relate to each other in a more reasonable, less hostile way."
And it works! The basic principle of Dr Beck's approach is simple yet substantial. The cornerstone is to strive for a solid foundation of trust, loyalty, respect and security. In short, to become a committed ally, a supporter and champion of my mate. Second, cultivate the tender, loving part of the relationship, and finally, strengthen the partnership by developing a sense of cooperation, consideration and compromise.
These are lofty goals with abstract meanings. I have always known that I wanted these admirable attributes as a part of my relationships, however, it was not until I studied Dr Beck's cognitive therapy that I gained the tools required to implement. By recognizing when distortions automatically enter my thoughts, I am able to resist the naturally tendency of accepting them. Opposing the temptation to react provides me with control over my emotions and prevents me from falling into destructive behaviours and habit patterns. I am able to respond in ways that are consistent with my hopes, dreams and goals for my relationship.
If you are interested in developing stronger more secure relationships in all parts of your life, this book may be interesting to you.
PEACE
It really gives us ground for changes.......2003-10-28
The book is interesting and addresses effectively most communication difficulty between couples.
I would recomment this book to anyone who wants to build a mature and long lasting relationship, as it gives light to important aspects that we many times forget.
Its content gave me more wisdom to understand human relations, and is helping me on my daily life.
Book Description
A collection of devotional readings perfect for the pressures of today’s world, put together by Stormie Omartian, bestselling author of The Power of a Praying® Wife. New Christians and those experiencing life changes will appreciate her honesty and candor.
Customer Reviews:
Just The Light That I Needed.......2007-09-13
This book was a lifesaver for me. It put light into my dark, dim world. When I found this book, I was in a severe depression, going through a most difficult time in my life. I credit it with saving me. And I give glory to God for putting it in my hands.
No matter where you are in your life, this book will benefit you. You don't have to be as low as I was for this book to bless you. It is a must read for everyone!!
It is worth every dime that it cost and then some. Once you read it, you will want to put it next to your bible and keep it forever.
It means so much to me that I purchase it for everyone that I cross paths with, who seems to be in need of faith, love, comfort, and/or support. I use it as a way to minister to those in need.
You will LOVE it!
Comforting.......2007-03-08
It is because of Stormie that I have grown much closer to our LORD. She has a way of just talking to you and you feel like she is your friend. I have read most of her books and passed them on!
Don't put her books away, share them with your friends and family! They will enrich their lives as well!
I love her books and recommend her HIGHLY!
True Light !.......2007-02-22
Life is filled with uncertainties, and when life threatens to overcome us, and everything within us wants to throw in the towel and give up, there is God. We find that in our moment of need, He is all we need. This ever so powerful book will encourage you and lift you up to an understanding that God is sufficient for our every need. It is not in looking to the past or to the future, but in looking up to the One who is all knowing and all powerful. The step your on is the one that God wants you to be and learning how to maximize that season of life is what walking with the Lord is all about. Don't miss out on this powerfully encouraging book that will bring you peace in the midst of the chaos of a fallen world.
Good enough to read again!.......2006-07-25
I have this book and have read it. I took notes on it, and I plan to read it again!
His light shines brightly, even thru the Celebrate Recovery 12-Steps.......2006-04-21
This is a MUST-HAVE companion book especially if you are going through or contemplating on going through a Celebrate Recovery 12-step group. Although it is not all about the 12-steps, it is applicable to wherever you're at in life and whatever you're faced with.
I can remember the 1st day I walked slowly into a women's 12-step group @ Saddleback, it was the scariest thing but I did it anyway with faith in God, knowing there are VICTORIES awaiting.
As I cleared out my schedule, including relationships, to stay focused w/ minimal distractions and to allow myself to lean more on God rather than others, I found that going thru the Celebrate Recovery participant guides were emotionally exhausting as I've had to dig up hurts, habits and hang-ups from the past and present. I eventually found myself searching for a book that I could read that was applicable to where I was at - preparing to dive into my 4th step (moral inventory). And so when I came across this profound book title 'Just Enough Light for the Step I'm on' by Stormie Omartian, I thought - "WOW, how applicable!"
One of the cool things about this book, aside from that it points me to God in each page and that there are enlightening prayers throughout, is that this book applies to every experience we face in this life, not just while going through a 12-step. You'll identify with much in this book.
I am definitely A WORK IN PROGRESS!
Although I'm not quite close to finishing the most difficult step (4th) yet, I am walking step by step on this journey and path with God and with JUST ENOUGH LIGHT FOR THE STEP I'M ON thru every layer of hurt, habit & hang-up to full transformation, restoration, healing, and countless VICTORIES!
This book, already highly recommended to the women in my step group, will continue to be a constant reference in my bedroom library, along with 2 other books by Stormie, 'Power of a Praying Woman' and 'The Prayer That Changes Everything.'
Book Description
âI already know ten people to whom I will give this book. It’s truly a Godsend.â
–David Limbaugh, author,
Absolute Power and
Persecution, from the Foreword
âI wish [this book] had been available when I was an atheistâit would have saved a lot of time in my spiritual journey toward God!â
–Lee Strobel, author,
The Case for Christ and
The Case for Faith
âIf you’re still a skeptic after reading
I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, then I suspect you’re living in denial!â
–Josh McDowell, speaker, author,
Evidence That Demands a Verdict
âAtheism requires gobs of blind faith while the path of logic and reason leads straight to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Geisler and Turek convincingly show why.â
–Phillip E. Johnson, author,
Darwin on Trial and
Reason in the Balance
â
I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist will equip, exhort, and encourage youâto give the reason for the hope that you have . . . with gentleness and respect.’â
–Hank Hanegraaff, president, The Christian Research Institute, host,
Bible Answer Man
âThis book should disturb anyone claiming to be an atheist . . . perhaps enough to persuade them to begin a search for the God who has been there all along.â
–Cal Thomas, syndicated columnist, host,
After Hours, Fox News Channel
âGeisler and Turek present the crucial information needed to avoid being swept away by the onslaughts of secular ideologies that cast science, philosophy, and biblical studies as enemies of the Christian faith.â
–William A. Dembski, author,
The Design Revolution
Customer Reviews:
Essential reading.......2007-10-19
This is the book I wish I'd had when my son was dying with brain cancer.
This event rocked my faith so how could I encourage my son about trusting God for the afterlife? I had to get back to convincing basics and this presented excellent, well-though-out Socratic arguments. I did find other apologetics books, but having read this now I think it would have been the best one for both of us to read.
If you 're not convinced, do a websearch for Frank Turek who has summarized the content of this book in many
<90 minute talks he's given.
It is Not Convincing for an Atheist, but it is Encouraging for the Christian.......2007-10-13
"I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist" by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek is a surprisingly easy read given its size (448 pages) and attention to detail. Thumbing through the pages and scouting the contents, charts, and index, I expected to be hunkering down for some serious digestion. Despite this pleasant surprise, my overall reaction to this work was ambivalence.
On the one hand, Geisler and Turek serve up some incredible encouraging evidences for the Biblical account of creation. I loved boning up on my knowledge of the Laws of Thermodynamics, and the basic laws of logic, like the law of non-contradiction and the "excluded middle". As a Christian, I find these things exciting because science does indeed point to a transcendent God. In addition, the authors' defense of Scripture, the person of Christ, and the Resurrection are helpful reinforcements to my faith.
On the other hand, it is the application of these evidences by the authors that I can't agree with. The use of evidences is great for the encouragement of Christians, but I find their belief that evidences (both scientific and philosophical) are crucial to evangelism to be contrary to passages like Romans 1.16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." In the Forward the authors make several bold statements. While acknowledging that "Proof, of course, is no substitute for faith." (p.7), they go on to say that evidences are instrumental in removing "intellectual obstacles" leaving them "naked to confront their real demons." In the Preface, the authors jointly state: "We came to believe through evidences." I find it hard to swallow such statements in light of the such passages as indicated below in First Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing
1 Corinthians 2:1-2, 4-5 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ...my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
As a side note, I also tire of recounting arguments in which such-and-such the noted expert in his field, was cornered into admitting that his argument was false but still wouldn't cave. There's definitely a lot of that here. These two authors are obviously tapped into the debate circuit, and though it is often noteworthy, it gets old.
All that aside, believe it or not, I actually liked this book. The book drives home the point that everyone has faith. The subsequent question then becomes, what is the object of your faith?
God is rational, his creation is rational, and when we start with the right premise we can reach the correct conclusions. Faith is not blind, it is supremely reasonable. All other beliefs other than Christianity lack sufficient support for their assumptions, Geisler and Turek do a good job of impressing this upon the reader. While I wholeheartedly disagree with the authors' intent to use the book as a tool for evangelism, it still remains a great tool for encouragement as Christians learn that their faith is valid.
Brilliant single volume Christian apologetics.......2007-10-09
In one volume all the big bang evolutionary non science that is foisted on our society by neo-Darwinists and the like is logically and comprehensively demolished. A pity that it is not available in UK. I had to send to the USA for this volume. to justify the cost of transatlantic carriage I bought 3 copies. With hindsight I should have bought at least ten
I am too intelligent to be a theist !!!.......2007-10-04
Hilarious! There is no way you can proof the existence of God. You believe it or not, that is why they call it believe. This book belongs in the section humour. It is full of lies and twisted truths. For instance the authors say that scientists claim that the Big Bang resulted from nothing. That is a lie. Scientists say that the Big Bang was a result from all mass compressed together in a tiny volume. The fact that scientists have not an answer to all questions doesn't mean that the authors are right. Another false claim is that Darwin supposedly have said that man evolved from apes. That is another lie. Darwin never made that claim: he said that man and apes share a common ancestor. The authors also draw ridiculous conclusions, like: A. time is divided in days, B. history ended yesterday, therefore C. time has an end and a beginning and thus a Beginner. Do you see the capital "B"? Ludicrous! I could go on and on with more of these ridiculous assumptions made by the authors. A good scientist first looks for evidence and then draws his conclusions, which he is willing to alter when the evidence alters. The authors of this book already had their conclusion made (i.e. God exists) and then twisted and turned the facts to match their conclusion. Not very scientific, to say the least. Well, what would you expect from authors with a Christian agenda? Would you expect them that they would ultimately conclude that God does not exist? If you want a good lough, buy the book. If you want a serious scientific book, buy a serious scientific book. This book is a waste of money.
Faith vs. Knowledge.......2007-09-30
Essentially, 'faith' covers a gap in knowledge. The book's claim is that once you become aware of the empirical evidence and historical reliability of Christianity, then it actually takes less faith to believe in Christianity than it does to believe in say Darwinism or other alternative views that have been proven false. The book doesn't directly challenge one to 'think it out for himself' but instead challenges one to look at the empirical evidence we already have and to think about the other worldviews and then conclude for yourself which makes more sense.
Amazon.com
The idea behind Kurzweil and Grossman's Fantastic Voyage is that if you can make it through the next 50 years, you might become immortal. How will that be possible? Through some rather science fictional steps, it turns out, including taking advantage of the latest in biotechnological breakthroughs and not-yet-invented nanotechnology. Is all this longing for immortality driven by an obsession with youth or a fear of death? Readers can judge for themselves, as both Kurzweil and Grossman reveal the personal histories that led them to develop this plan. Fantastic Voyage is written in an easy-to-understand tone, with lots of sidebars giving examples of what the future holds for medicine and health. Whether or not you think that science will find a way to keep our bodies or our disembodied minds alive forever, this book is full of diet and lifestyle tips. For instance, the authors suggest carefully controlling the body's overall pH at an alkaline level, meditating, eating a diet composed mostly of vegetables and protein, and taking loads of supplements (Kurzweil downs about 250 pills each day). The dietary options presented here will mostly only be practical for people whose income levels can support buying organic produce, fresh fish and meat, and top-shelf supplements. The authors cavalierly state that we are living in a "time of abundance," but it seems likely that most who are able to follow this regimen will be Americans of a fairly high socioeconomic class. --Therese Littleton
Book Description
Tap today's technological breakthroughs to live longer and better.
Startling discoveries in the areas of genomics, biotechnology, and nanotechnology occur practically every day. The rewards of this research, some of it as spectacular as science fiction, are practically in our grasp. Fantastic Voyage shows us how we can use these new technologies to live longer than previously imaginable.
The authors take the reader on a journey to undreamed-of vitality with a comprehensive investigation into the cutting-edge science regarding diet, supplementation, genetics, detoxification, and the hormones involved with aging and youth. By following their program, which includes such simple recommendations as eating a balanced, low- glycemic-index diet, and taking powerful anti-aging nutritional supplements, anyone will be able to add years of healthy, active life.
Customer Reviews:
Bought Five and Gave to Dear Friends.......2007-08-12
A Great Book and a Great Read. I have been following Ray Kurzweil for many years, and was so impressed about his life-changing Live Long Enough to Live Forever, that I purchased several copies of the book, and then gave them to dear friends who I would like to live a long, long time. The book takes us easily through the 3 bridges - the current one which emphasizes diet, exercise, and correct mental attitude to allow us to live long enough for the 2nd and 3rd bridges - which are biotechnology and nanotechnology. [...]Yes - Ray got me hooked on emerging technologies years ago, and got me interested in living a long life, as well as interested in seeing to it that the world stays safe for ourselves and our children. [...] wishing you a long life and peace in the world. Ted Stalets
Fantastic Voyage?.......2007-05-13
Hmm. Interesting, but im not sure about all of it. Worth reading if it improves ones health though.
Very good book!.......2007-05-06
I really liked this book, its a good introduction into the subject. I recommend it!
Watershed book for radical life extension.......2007-04-08
A review of Fantastic Voyage appeared in my Oakland (Oakland County, Michigan) Press early in 2005. As a longtime enthusiastic advocate--though not necessarily the most ardent practitioner--of life extension technology, I was ecstatic!
Here was a book about radical life-extension appearing in a ho-hum review geared to (what some say is) the cultural-literary wasteland of Detroit suburbia. The vitalist movement had just achieved a major breakthrough into common humanity... at least the branch of common humanity who reads.
Note: Terminology is still a bit tenuous in this transhumanist era we're coming upon. But a vitalist is sort of a practical immortalist, someone who wants to extend life (with youthfulness and vigor) indefinitely, and generally thinks it can be accomplished in our natural lifetimes.
I'll use the term vitalist to identify the movement Kurzweil, Grossman, and many others are pushing. The significance of their book is enormous: Just as Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw (with Life Extension: A practical, scientific approach (1982)) were to health supplements, Kurzweil and Grossman are to the universal prospect of living well for a long time.
The authors break down our pursuit of effective vigorous immortality into three phases:
* Bridge 1: Ray and Terry's Longevity Program: present-day
nutrition, exercise, and wellness strategies that can get you
to the next bridge.
* Bridge 2: The biotechnology bridge, where we learn how to
turn off the bad genes and turn on the good ones, and
figure out the biochemical clues for keeping body and mind
the best.
* Bridge 3: What they refer to as the nanotechnology-AI
(Artificial Intelligence) revolution, where we can rebuild our
bodies and brains at the molecular level.
The prediction: generally effective Bridge 2 vitalist technologies begin 2010, with the beginnings of Bridge 3 technologies in 2020... with full flowering of those technologies a decade following those inception points.
...
For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]
Brian Wright
Copyright 2007
read it, then continue with your own research.......2007-04-03
I love this book. Inwardly, I laugh at Ray Kurzweil for including an endosement from Dean Ornish in a book that focusing on controlling blood sugar by eating low carb and including enough fat, but it is great nonetheless. The book is very positive and contains a lot of practical suggestions. It also presents some complex topics very well.
The one real flaw in the authors' approach is that it contains no sense of proportion. For example, in the seciton on environmental toxicity, it advises that you not shower with chlorinated water, but, in the section on exercise, it advises lap swimming as great exercise... well, if your 15 minute shower has too much chlorine, you can't get in a pool for 2 hours every day!!
The other problem with the book is that new research is coming out so fast now that the book must be out of date by now. But I think it's a great start anyhow.
Book Description
Half a century after brave Americans took to the streets to raise the bar of opportunity for all races, Juan Williams writes that too many black Americans are in crisis—caught in a twisted hip-hop culture, dropping out of school, ending up in jail, having babies when they are not ready to be parents, and falling to the bottom in twenty-first-century global economic competition.
In Enough, Juan Williams issues a lucid, impassioned clarion call to do the right thing now, before we travel so far off the glorious path set by generations of civil rights heroes that there can be no more reaching back to offer a hand and rescue those being left behind.
Inspired by Bill Cosby’s now famous speech at the NAACP gala celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Brown decision integrating schools, Williams makes the case that while there is still racism, it is way past time for black Americans to open their eyes to the “culture of failure” that exists within their community. He raises the banner of proud black traditional values—self-help, strong families, and belief in God—that sustained black people through generations of oppression and flowered in the exhilarating promise of the modern civil rights movement. Williams asks what happened to keeping our eyes on the prize by proving the case for equality with black excellence and achievement.
He takes particular aim at prominent black leaders—from Al Sharpton to Jesse Jackson to Marion Barry. Williams exposes the call for reparations as an act of futility, a detour into self-pity; he condemns the “Stop Snitching” campaign as nothing more than a surrender to criminals; and he decries the glorification of materialism, misogyny, and murder as a corruption of a rich black culture, a tragic turn into pornographic excess that is hurting young black minds, especially among the poor.
Reinforcing his incisive observations with solid research and alarming statistical data, Williams offers a concrete plan for overcoming the obstacles that now stand in the way of African Americans’ full participation in the nation’s freedom and prosperity. Certain to be widely discussed and vehemently debated, Enough is a bold, perceptive, solution-based look at African American life, culture, and politics today.
Customer Reviews:
Is more than i was expected.......2007-10-17
Hay! Is more than i was expected. Thank you amazon and sender.
Take care
A Thought-Provoking Critical Analysis Of Black Culture.......2007-10-13
Juan Williams has eloquently and courageously put to words thoughts that I've had for many years. I find it interesting that it took a speech from famed comedian / actor Bill Cosby to spur Mr. Williams to take center stage in the culture battle within the black community.
Nevertheless, this book exposes to the world the mindless rhetoric and failed strategies of many of the so-called civil rights leaders that are just as much a drag on the ability of American blacks to successfully pursue the American dream as slavery and racism ever was. I would even go so far as to assert that self-appointed civil rights leaders practice an entirely new brand of slavery, economic slavery, designed to keep a noble and proud culture chained to the failing polices of past radicalism and confrontation that had their place in the 60s but are woefully inadequate today; and which only presently exits to serve the self-interests of those who promote them. While Mr. Williams hints at such, a bolder, more clearly articulated statement would have been a welcomed addition to his work. My only other disappointment with Enough was the lack of footnotes and source citations for many of its claims.
Minor criticisms aside, this is a well written book. Mr. Williams presents his ideas in a smoothly organized fashion that rivets the readers' attention in a vice grip of paradigm shifts, provocative ideas, and conservative thought that the black community would do well to consider. Its been said as a political force the black vote is taken for granted by the Democrat Party and written off by the Republican Party. Many of the reasons are revealed in this book. How can either party consider blacks to be politically relevant when the emerging leadership in politics and pop culture debase and disrespect their own people and the rule of law?
As so well stated by Mr. Williams, the key to ending black poverty and lack of social progress lies within the black community itself. Government can throw billions more dollars at the problem with equally meager results as seen these past 30 years, or blacks can rise above the crass, degrading, demeaning, and enslaving icons of rap artists, self-serving civil rights leaders, tolerance of neighborhood crime, and lack of moral courage, to propel the race to unimagined prosperity. Enough is certainly a step in the right direction.
Speaking For Us!.......2007-10-06
It took one speech by one man at one moment frozen in time to set off a barrage of discussions on the Black community's progress post-civil Rights era.
Bill Cosby, famed doctor of the Cosby show, stood in front of the crowd as if he was a preacher standing at a pulpit speaking truths from the Bible instead of having a congregation of the willing eagerly anticipating his every word the crowd was members of the NAACP who expected a simple congratulatory speech from the non-controversial celebrity. The event that Mr. Cosby made his infamous speech was deemed, by him, to be appropriate--it was the commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Brown vs. the Board of Education Supreme Court ruling (this ruling prompted the eventual integration of public schools across America--making the "separate but equal" policy unconstitutional). Irregardless of how you felt about Cosby's speech, you have to admit that it took immense courage on his part to risk his reputation and long-standing alliances (both political and social) to draw from his wisdom that he has gained over the years as an actor, activist and as a black man.
The author, Juan Williams, of "Enough....", is an accomplished commentator (known from his correspondent work on NPR and Fox News) exceptionally delved into Mr. Cosby's argument about the downturn and complacency of the Black community after the Civil Rights Movement. He took each hard-hitting point of Bill Cosby's speech such as the lack of importance on education leading to increased drop-out rates, social failures as result of deteriorating family cohesion, the long-term effects of criminal elements within neighborhood of all economies--especially poorer areas, lack of credible leadership to further carry-on the torch of the movement, cyclical poverty effecting the economic wealth of the community, and the ill-conceived plea to seek reparations from the federal government for the crimes against our ancestors.
Mr. William's approach to analyzing Bill Cosby's argument for change was reminiscent of a college professor that taught one of my "art of argument logic" courses--he presented a theory, dissected it, built it back up, presented opposing views and brought it all full circle!
As I read this book, I realized that it was justified for Cosby (or anyone else) to point out the shortcomings within the black community to invoke change. Why should we continue to go on with our lives being disillusioned? Everything is not okay! Cosby's speech is simply a rally call to everyone, in particular, those that will take heed to his battle cry. We are not at war with this mystical force out there to get black folks (aka "the man"), we are at war with "crabs in the bucket" weighing down on the community making it appear to the world that we are a community who continues to fail whether in education, economic advancement and social imagery. I know that Cosby wasn't speaking to everyone--not all blacks are dropping out of school! Not all blacks are unaware of the sacrifices that our ancestors went through so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today! Not all blacks are accepting of the negative images and buffoonery that is in the media! Not all blacks are accepting of anything that sets us back to a period prior to the civil rights movement!
People within the Black community should not dismiss Bill Cosby as just some old, rich man with nothing better to do than to nitpick at the "wrongs of the young generation". His speech had validity and needed to be heard and what better venue than at event celebrating a freedom that some black people take for granted--the right to an equal opportunity to a quality education under the eyes of the law.
Enough by Juan Williams.......2007-10-05
This was an awesome book that should be mandatory reading for Liberal Arts majors and just the general public. The author describes a realistic pathway for both blacks and whites in the search for racial harmony.
Juan Williams -- The Black Radical.......2007-09-28
I used to think that people like Mr. Williams were sellouts. Now, I know better. When you look at what he is saying...he is saying the same thing as Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. (Farrakhan just has a slicker approach.)
That is, the Nation draws you in with their "hate whitey" message, but when you join they slowly flip the script. When you attend the meetings, buy the tapes, and read the there books, the message is the same:
1. Eat good foods (How to eat to live).
2. Take care of your responsibilities. "Every brother needs a job. If he doesn't have a job, then the brothers need to get together and create him one." -- Farrakhan
3. Don't buy things (cars and homes) you can't afford. - F.O.I. meetings
4. Educate your own children. - If they won't treat you right, they won't teach you right. N.O.I slogan
What more needs to be said? Juan Williams is as pro-black as you can get!
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