Team-Based Strategic Planning: A Complete Guide to Structuring, Facilitating and Implementing the Process

Team-Based Strategic Planning: A Complete Guide to Structuring, Facilitating and Implementing the Process
Average customer rating:

Useful guide

Read it, Use it. Love it!

Team based strategic planning book is excellent.

Strategic Planning: Easy to Work With

One of those dense, impenetrable tomes

Team-Based Strategic Planning: A Complete Guide to Structuring, Facilitating and Implementing the Process
C. Davis Fogg
Manufacturer: American Management Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Strategy & Competition | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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High Impact Tools and Activities for Strategic Planning: Creative Techniques for Facilitating Your Organization's Planning Process

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Creating and Implementing Your Strategic Plan: A Workbook for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, 2nd Edition

ASIN: 0814451276

Book Description

How to structure, facilitate, and implement the process.

Strategic planning is a critical part of running a business, but when you get a team of people together to plan, it can often become a confused exercise in grand visions without a clear process for establishing workable goals. This book is unique in providing both guidance for the actual content of strategic plans and techniques for how to plan in a team context. Readers will discover how to:

• structure the process so it custom fits their company needs

• effectively facilitate the process (keep meetings on track, train others in planning skills, document decisions made at meetings, present and communicate the plan)

• use teams and teamwork smoothly and productively to create a far-reaching plan—and then to implement it

Features detailed guidelines for each step, dozens of flowcharts, and three self-contained "facilitator's guides" to follow.

Customer Reviews:

Useful guide.......2007-05-17

I have several years of experience in participating and leading strategic planning, and I have found this to be a very good reference guide. One that I still refer to with some frequency. It has high-level comprehensive concepts as well as detailed, practical steps. Not for everyone, especially if you are put off by "business speak", but if you live in that world and are comfortable with it, this can be a very good reference guide.

Read it, Use it. Love it!.......2005-08-29

I've recommended this book to a number of my clients who were struggling with strategic planning. Unlike other books, it does not deal in vague generalities or unsupported principles. It gives all of the steps and instructions to choose from that companies need to create an excellent plan. The steps are explained simply and a strategy on how to make "it happen".

It is really useful because it gives a variety of examples from many different organizations and industries. It is the kind of book that you can use, sitting around with your staff, to agree on the process that you will take for your particular organization.

I highly recommend it to an organization that wants to make their strategic approach stick. My expertise is in leadership and management systems and training, and it fits well with my experience and philosophy-you can't do anything with an organization unless they have a view of the future and a plan to implement it.

Team based strategic planning book is excellent........2005-08-20

This is an excellent guide that allows a leader to structure a strategic planning process to fit a specific organization. It gives step by step instructions and real examples that make the process come alive. It also gives guides for facilitating collection of information and the meetings that must be held to get concensus on the organization's direction. In 30 years of federal government management, I have not seen any book as clear and as useful in directing development of a strategic plan. This book has been on the market since 1999, so I must not be alone in this opinion.

Strategic Planning: Easy to Work With.......2005-08-02

This text was incredibly simple to understand. It was set up in a way that it had very easy guidelines to follow, and the applications were just as easy to work with. I completely recommend this text to all that are in the field of leadership. This is one text that is assured continual usage by all that purchase it.

One of those dense, impenetrable tomes.......2005-01-25

"Team-Based Strategic Planning: A Complete Guide to Structuring, Facilitating and Implementing the Process" is one of those dense, impenetrable tomes blessed with having the American Management Association for its publisher. Hence, it smacks of authority.

Yet the book is written in a nearly unreadable language: the language of management-speak, uttered to obfuscate rather than enlighten, to deflect rather than engage.

One does not have to go far before running into verbal blockades such as this: "Organizations with an existing plan, however good or poor, should preface a plan update or total ground up revision with an upfront step: a review of the existing mission, plan, and accomplishments." Other similar all-star collections of jargon appear on nearly every page.

Shall we spend a moment considering this thought? First, people not organizations are the doers. Does "however good or poor" modify the existing plan or the organizations? Can there exist a nonexistent plan? Can a "ground up revision" be used for mulching the perennial garden? Can you actually preface and update, plus be upfront, in the same sentence? Finally, it's clear that organizations without existing plans will not be able to review their existing plans.

Language is not the only barrier. Some charts are full of type faces, sometimes six or more, calling to mind ransom notes assembled from letters clipped from magazines. Others are collections of thick symbols and unfriendly bold type and all caps that scream out MOCK IMPORTANCE.

My advice is to look for management advice that is dispensed in clear English with understandable graphics. [...]

Making Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models, Tools & Techniques of Organizational Change

Average customer rating:

Not Very Practical
Learning to Make the Best of Change
Making Sense?
Basic
A must-have

Making Sense of Change Management: A Complete Guide to the Models, Tools & Techniques of Organizational Change
Esther Cameron , and Mike Green
Manufacturer: Kogan Page
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Workplace | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Organizational Change | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Managing Change and Transition
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ASIN: 0749440872

Book Description

"In business, either you're an agent of change, or you're destined to become a victim of change." -- Norm Brodsky in Inc Magazine

Customer Reviews:

Not Very Practical.......2007-07-03

If you are a practitioner you will not find this book very helpful. It has a number of interesting ideas, but they randomly presented. If you are looking for a more systematic or strategic approach, I'd recommend Beitler's Strategic Organizational Change or Kotter's Leading Change.

Learning to Make the Best of Change.......2007-05-12

Good Book. It presents the reader with seveal different theories and I learned alot about how change takes takes place in the work place. Overall a good book to read for any leader.

Making Sense?.......2007-04-07

I'm not sure it made that much sense. I was looking for a more practical book on how to do it - how to design an organization based on the needs.

Basic.......2007-01-15

This book would be useful if you do not practice as a manager. It provides an elementary overview. If you are a practitioner, I'd recommend Kotter, Beitler, or Bridges.

A must-have.......2007-01-10

This is one of the most useful, accessible and instantly applicable books on change management out there!

It collates quite a few well-published theorems and methodologies in one place, demonstrates the pros and cons of each without going into too much detail, but leaves it to the reader to decide which is appropriate in a given situation and, as a whole, the authors provides you with an unsurpassed collection of tools and models to apply in any given change scenario.

You will find yourself referring back to this again and again.

21st Century Complete Guide to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, USAF Academy Facilities, Exhibits, Cadet Life, Academy Parachute Team, Tenth ... Military Service Academies Series (CD-ROM)

Average customer rating:

U.S. Airforce Academy

21st Century Complete Guide to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, USAF Academy Facilities, Exhibits, Cadet Life, Academy Parachute Team, Tenth ... Military Service Academies Series (CD-ROM)
Department of Defense
Manufacturer: Progressive Management
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
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Air Force Academy Candidate Book : How to Prepare, How to Get In, How to Survive
Life Inside the Air Force Academy
Air Force Officer's Guide

ASIN: 1592485324

Book Description

This up-to-date electronic book on CD-ROM presents the most comprehensive collection available anywhere on the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Coverage includes: USAF Academy Cadet Life in Color and Military Education; Report of the Panel to Review Sexual Misconduct Allegations at the U.S. Air Force Academy; USAF Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) Publications; USAF Academy Parachute Team "The Wings of Blue".

It is illustrated with dramatic color photography of facilities, exhibits and cadet life includes: Core Values; Mission-Vision; Observatory; Visitor Center; Visitor's Guide; Admissions Directorate; Tenth Air Base Wing; Commandant; Dean of Faculty; Superintendent; Tenant Units; Cadet Chapel; Civilian Personnel & Employment; Academics; Dean of the Faculty; Military Education; Current Events; Information Resources; Inspector General; Newcomers Information; Academy Maps; Golf Course; Snow Control Center; Snow Removal Vehicles; 34th Operations Support Squadron; USAFA Flyover Briefing Guide, Guidance, and Event Schedule; Aero Club Aircraft; Development and Alumni Programs; AFROTC Northwest Region; USAFA Class Shields and Squadron Patches; Farish Recreation Area Mountain Resort; Department of Astronautics and Department of Aeronautics Laboratory Research and Facilities; Fire Department. Cadet Life coverage includes: 34th Education Group; Book Lists; Center for Character Development; Clubs; Class of 2004 through 2007 Photographs; Parent's Weekend and 2003 Photographs; Honor Guard History and Previous Details; Athletics; Sabre Drill Team; 94th Flying Training Squadron coverage including Soaring Programs, Current Aircraft, Historical Aircraft, Squadron History; 98th Flying Training Squadron.

Documents include: Agenda for Change-Policy Directives and Initiatives, March 26, 2003; Report of the Panel to Review Sexual Misconduct Allegations at the U.S. Air Force Academy; News Releases 2003; USAF Academy Strategic Plan

USAF Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) publications include: Annual Report; Milestones in Strategic Arms Control 1945-2000; Controlling Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons; The Terrorism Threat and U.S. Government Response; Nuclear Deterrence and Defense; Searching for National Security in an NBC World; Airpower Journal articles; INSS Papers

This CD-ROM has over 17,000 pages reproduced using Adobe Acrobat PDF software - allowing direct viewing on Windows and Macintosh systems, and Reader software is included. The Acrobat cataloging technology adds enormous value and uncommon functionality to this impressive collection of government documents and material. There is no other reference that is as fast, convenient, comprehensive, and portable!

Our CD-ROMs are privately-compiled collections of official public domain U.S. government files and documents - they are not produced by the federal government. They are designed to provide a convenient user-friendly reference work, utilizing the benefits of the Acrobat format to uniformly present thousands of pages that can be rapidly reviewed, searched, or printed without untold hours of tedious searching and downloading. Vast archives of important public domain government information that might otherwise remain inaccessible are available for instant review no matter where you are. This book-on-a-disc makes a superb reference work for scientists, researchers, libraries, schools, students, and home reference!

Customer Reviews:

U.S. Airforce Academy.......2007-10-10

I bought this book for my Grandson who is interested in attending the Air Force Academy. It is a nice companion to the other book I bought "Life Inside the Air Force Academy." I am sure he will enjoy it.

Managing Diversity: A Complete Desk Reference and Planning Guide, Revised Edition

Average customer rating:

Great resource to help explain diversity initiative
Trite, simplistic and not worth the money

Managing Diversity: A Complete Desk Reference and Planning Guide, Revised Edition
Lee Gardenswartz , and Anita Rowe
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Ring-bound

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Beyond Race and Gender: Unleashing the Power of Your Total Work Force by Managing Diversity

ASIN: 0070220042

Book Description

Today's corporations understand the need for diversity awareness, but most lack an effective organizational strategy. This thoroughly updated bestseller is packed with information, worksheets, charts, and other valuable features for program implementation, evaluation, and measurement; conducting a diversity audit; and maximizing the many talents of employees.

Customer Reviews:

Great resource to help explain diversity initiative.......1999-04-06

This book provides a great "big-picture" view of what a diversity initiative might involve. The authors address diversity with a perspective that a diversity initiative is more than an education program, and give explanation to some othe systems and processes that must be addressed in order to be successful at integrating diversity into an organization. A big positive is that the authros do not use the race/gender basis for diversity, but expand the definition to include many other characteristics that almost all people can realte to. I highly recommend the book.

Trite, simplistic and not worth the money.......1998-12-12

Managing diversity is a subject that does not lend itself to simplistic, checklist solutions. Yet, that is exactly what the authors provide - a plethora of superficial recipes. Not particularly thoughtful and not at all practical for real-world use.

Real diversity management is far more complicated than this text would suggest!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Leadership (2nd Edition)
Average customer rating:

Great intro book for someone new to any leadership position

Useful Bibliography

Dry and dull...How do I apply this to everyday situations?

A practical guide to how to be a leader

useful introduction -- will satisfy most beginners!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Leadership (2nd Edition)
Andrew DuBrin
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Leadership for Dummies

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Team Building

Motivating Employees for Dummies

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Managing People (2nd Edition)

Managing for Dummies, Second Edition

ASIN: 0028639545

Book Description

This guide is for novices in the areas of leadership, business management, and working with people. Beginners can learn practical ways to apply leadership techniques in their daily work life. Topics covered in the book include team and group leadership, thinking and acting like a leader, conflict resolution, and developing employee potential. The author discusses some of today's more popular leadership styles, highlighting the differences, and profiles managers who use the styles effectively.

Customer Reviews:

Great intro book for someone new to any leadership position.......2006-08-07

Bought for a an hourly employee of mine - helps to put things into perspective what leadershhip really is

Useful Bibliography.......2004-09-06

This book, like most 'idiot's guide' texts does a good job of looking at third layer concepts of leadership. Using a variety of outside sources this book takes you though a general overview on the topics of leadership. The best part about this book is the bibliography which will point you to many great books on management and leadership. This is a good text for those who just have not spent a lot of time thinking about, studying, or maybe even caring about leadership. Check out the bibliography for more in-depth books on this topic. Joseph Dworak

Dry and dull...How do I apply this to everyday situations?.......2002-12-12

The book has little humor for a Complete Idiot book. It was more a study of leadership at different levels and situations then a how to for the reader to take on the task of a leadership position. It covered leadership in low level team leaders to CEO and Visionary. The information is sound but what about the beginner being thrown into a leadership position? What traits and characteristics does the person need? The book touched on leadership styles but didn't really go into it. How's the leader suppose to take his team and successfully accomplish the goals set out by the situation? This in my opinion was never answered. Conflict resolution was touched on in a chapter but wasn't really addressed to it's full extent. I got more information from Marine Corps MCI "Leadership" and other books mainly with a military slant. The book had some self tests here and there but they were mostly subjective. Being former military, I read this book to improve my leadership and management abilities in the civilian world. The book is good if your researching the subject and not doing it. A CEO is in trouble if he needs to read this book. I strongly disagree with the statement that a leader should not apologize even if they wrong somebody. I got more out of "One Minute Manager". It just wasn't for me after reading it for over a week.

A practical guide to how to be a leader.......1999-05-14

I noted that one reviewer really panned this book, but I found it to be very useful. Granted, it's not theoretical or philosophical, but there's lots of those books available. This one is practical. It includes self-quizzes to let you know where you stand on various subjects. It gives you specific steps to take to project leadership qualities. It explains how to be a team leader, how to help groups help themselves (including how to be an empowering leader) and how to help others develop their full potential. This is not the deepest book you'll find on leadership, but it's not supposed to be. Warren Bennis writes books for CEOs (and they're good ones). This book is written for those in the trenches who want to help their people and themselves succeed. I know it's regularly used by trainers who are looking for what to use in their seminars.

useful introduction -- will satisfy most beginners!.......1999-01-15

I found this to be a useful introduction to leadership for a non-specialist. I found the section on conflict resolution to be especially useful -- not a deep psychological treatise on why people can be beasts, but a few helpful pointers on getting past a bad situation. My advice is to have a look at this book, then if you want more, go deeper, elsewhere.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Team Building

Average customer rating:

Author's comments
Great book, but not what I was looking for...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Team Building
Ph.D., Arthur R. Pell
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0028636562

Customer Reviews:

Author's comments.......2002-01-25

Has your company moved from traditional work groups to a team format? Is it contemplating such a move? Over 80 percent of Fortune 500 firms already are using teams as all or part of their organizational structure. Nobody know how many less well known companies are following suit.

The Complete Idiots Guide to Team Building will teach you the tools and techniques needed to be a successful team leader. It will enable those with previous supervisory experience to become aware of the changes they must make in management style to succeed in their new roles and what they must do to implement them. It will also prepare newly appointed leaders to move rapidly into productive leadership.

Not only team leaders, but also all team members can benefit from reading this book. Why? In many teams, members assume sub-team or project leadership from time to time. In addition, more and more organizations are turning to self-directed teams -- teams that have no permanent leader. All members are expected to be ready to lead a project.

This book is not an academic treatise, but a pragmatic guide to team leadership than can be immediately applied on the job. Read it to become acquainted with the many facets of team leadership. Keep this book handy to refer to when special problems arise.

Whether you are an experienced team leader, starting your first job, or you are preparing for promotion, this book will serve as a road map to successful leadership.

Great book, but not what I was looking for..........2000-07-12

This book is honest, entertaining, and jam-packed with great ideas, helpful hints, and how-to's. There is information about everything from reasons for using teams in the workplace, to forming strong ones, to helping yours become more successful. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know anything about working in teams!

Unfortunately, although this book was loaded with so much good stuff, it still didn't have what I wanted. I work in student affairs at a college, and I was looking for a book with activities on team-building to use with student groups. If this is what you're looking for, don't buy this book!

This book has some great stuff for anyone who works with teams, but be careful not to expect any more than concepts and explanations...no activities.

Average customer rating:

Needs more careful editing.

Coaching High School Basketball : A Complete Guide to Building a Championship Team

Coaching High School Basketball : A Complete Guide to Building a Championship Team
Bill Kuchar
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Basketball | Sports | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0071438769

Book Description

From a 40-year veteran, the only book available devoted to coaching high school basketball

In Coaching High School Basketball, Hall of Famer Bill Kuchar presents an indispensable instruction manual for experienced and rookie coaches alike. A combination of classic tactics and new, cutting-edge strategies, this one-of-a-kind handbook provides easyto- read diagrams and instructions, plus dozens of practice drills to reinforce fundamentals and teach innovative moves. Readers will learn how to:

Master Kuchar's "double motion offense"
Locate, protect, and infiltrate zones
Defend against the fast break
Use last-second plays for when the game is on the line
Make the most of out-of-bounds plays
Scout and evaluate junior high school talent
Get college coaches to scout their games

Customer Reviews:

Needs more careful editing........2007-02-28

This book has a lot that would be useful to a new HS coach, but unfortunately it seems that there was a lack of communication/checking between the author and the person who DTP'ed the diagrams. The diagrams contain many errors and inconsistencies which sometimes make it difficult to understand the plays and drills. Some arrows are missing or pointing in the opposite direction from what the descriptions indicate, offensive players are sometimes marked with an "X", diagrams occasionally show the ball going to one player while the description indicates a pass to a different player, etc.

Furthermore, the descriptions themselves could have been a little more detailed in places. It's clear that Coach Kuchar knows his basketball, but it's surprisingly difficult to explain basketball plays on paper, and I think this book would have benefited from a careful check by somebody who represents the target audience: a new coach with some understanding of the game but who doesn't already know what the author is trying to say.

My advice is to wait for the second edition.

Coaching High School Basketball : A Complete Guide to Building a Championship Team.......2005-10-07

This has everything a high school coach needs to run a sucessful program. It does not go into great depth as other books do, it is more concise and assumes you know the fundamentals. It has a great drill section and practice itinerary. You do not need your own practice plan-If you follow Bills plan your on the road to success.

The Complete Guide to Facilitation: Enabling Groups to Succeed

Average customer rating:

The Complete Guide to Facilitation: Enabling Groups to Succeed
Tom Justice , and David Jamieson
Manufacturer: HRD Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Ring-bound

Workplace | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Human Resources & Personnel Management | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Skills | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0874254329

Book Description

Why has facilitation become so important? Because the cost of ineffective groups and teamwork is becoming too high! The Complete Guide to Facilitation is a comprehensive resource that will help your team leaders and group facilitators prepare more effectively for meetings, improve their group's processes, and follow up to ensure more productive outcomes from sessions. This book includes a wealth of practical information for inexperienced group leaders as well as new tools for seasoned facilitators- more than 100 reproducible forms, checklists, planning aids, and guides. Selected contents are reproduced in CD-ROM format so that you can customize tools to meet your specific needs.

Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Lineups : A Complete Guide to the Best, Worst, and Most Memorable Players to Ever Grace the Major Leagues

Average customer rating:

The poor man's Bill James
Sit down & dip in
An Enjoyable Read
Interesting, but controversial
Not as good as I hoped

Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Lineups : A Complete Guide to the Best, Worst, and Most Memorable Players to Ever Grace the Major Leagues
Rob Neyer
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Baseball | Sports | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0743241746

Book Description

You love to argue about the game and its players, delving into baseball history and lore in search of support for your points of view. You'll find plenty of food for thought -- and argument! -- in Rob Neyer's Big Book of Baseball Lineups.

• All-time Red Sox starting pitcher -- Pedro or the Rocket?

• Gold Glovers -- who looked like one, who was one, and who ought to have been one?

• Lopsided trades that'll sting forever, and phenoms who seemed so real

• Classic nicknames -- from "Charlie Hustle" to "Big Hurt" to "The Mad Hungarian"

Neyer presents a series of lineups for each franchise -- from the All-Time and the All-Rookie to the All-Bust and the Traded Away. In notes, sidebars, and essays, he explores the careers of players both famous and obscure. The book includes information on all thirty current teams, as well as a special section covering legendary clubs like the Brooklyn Dodgers and Washington Senators. Neyer's Big Book is an unparalleled reference for settling the debates that arise every day in the lives of baseball fans.

Customer Reviews:

The poor man's Bill James.......2005-10-24

I enjoyed this book very much. Neyer, Bill James' protege, isn't as good a writer as James, but he's still better than most baseball writers. The Big Book is highly enjoyable. Neyer's selections, for the most part, are pretty reasonable. I certainly don't agree with all his choices, but this is an excellent book most baseball fans will find informative and interesting.

Sit down & dip in.......2004-09-20

At the risk of being slightly indelicate, this is the perfect "smallest-room-in-the-house" book for the inveterate baseball fan. Whether it's memories from your childhood, thought-provoking fodder for argument or hilarious nicknames (and their provenance) you're looking for, this book has it all and much more. An easier read (and a more manageable size) than some other weightier baseball tomes, it is both a pleasure and an education to read.

An Enjoyable Read.......2004-05-12

This book, like nearly all of Neyer's writing, was an extremely enjoyable read for the money. (Note: I purchased the book at a discounted price of $11.95.) It can be read in one burst, as I read it, or over a long period of time.

This is an excellent book for the knowledgeable baseball fan who is not statistically inclined. While Neyer uses statistical analysis such as Bill James' Win Shares to create his lineups, he does this in the background. This gives the casual fan the pleasure of reading the book without being concerned about the methodology.

At the same time, however, using Win Shares results in some lineup positioning that might be controversial to the casual fan. For example, the exclusion of Larry Bowa from both of the Phillies first and second shortstop positions forces the curious reader to question his exclusion. (The answer, given by Neyer, is that Bowa walked infrequently and had few extra-base hits, leading to a lower value to his team than mere batting average would suggest.)

In sum, this is a fun little book that can - but doesn't have to - make you think.

Interesting, but controversial.......2004-05-02

Anyone who has a knowledge of baseball can easily pick the best first baseman in New York Yankee history: Lou Gehrig. But how about the best centerfielder? Mantle, or DiMaggio? In my lifetime, I've been a fan of both, so either one might qualify... and yet, whichever you leave out, you're leaving out one of the Yankees' greatest players. By restricting your all-time best Yankee team to one at each position, you're forced to choose, and yet, at other positions (like left field or third base), the best one you can find is nowhere near the SECOND-best centerfielder. (I'm assuming, when I talk of left fielders, you consider Babe Ruth a RIGHT fielder, as Neyer does: he played left on the road and right in Yankee Stadium!)

I'm sure there are similar problems with other teams; I know the Yankees best, so I gave Yankee examples. But this is the problem with any book of this type.

Still, it's fun to look at the lists in this book. I'm not sorry I bought it. 4 stars, yes... but certainly not 5.

Not as good as I hoped.......2004-04-10

I just bought Rob Neyer's new book called Big Book of Baseball Lineups. I haven't read it all, and I might never do so. I am disapointed with it. In fact I think the name is a misnomer. It should be called the Big Book of Baseball Rosters. Part of my beef with the book is that I feel misled somewhat. I thought the book was going to be a resource type book in which Neyer actually lists batting lineups and does analysis on them. I would have enjoyed that. For starters almost nothing is out there on batting lineups. In terms of historical facts and stats that is probably one of the last frontiers to conquered.

Anyway back to the book. The book is actually a team by team ranking of players by position. Unfortunately though he doesn't show us his formulas or any hard stat type analysis as to why he made his choices. Personally I think Neyer is at his best when he is doing just that. Nor does he do an in-depth list, he only lists the top two players for each position. So you are left wondering many times where he ranks one of your favorite players. Nor does Neyer look at players from the 19th century. That one is not a huge deal but for some teams you are eliminating some great players and history. Neyer also has some other lists. Such as all-rookie, single season, best defensive, worst defensive, homegrown, traded away, flops, washed up, and nickname. Reading that you might think that he has a lot of informative pieces of info to share about a wide variety of players. Again, unfortunately he does not. His analysis for each selection is about one sentence without much detail. In otherwords a "blurb". Again no real analysis, no numbers or history to go with his selections. No real info on other players who did not rank at the top of the list.

In the back of the book he has a huge list of all-time rosters year by year for each team based on primary position. Unfortunately (I'm saying that a lot for this book, which I guess goes to show you how disappointed I am with it) this is not new info nor hard to find. It is done in almost the exact same manner as the one widely available and tons more informative at Baseball-Reference.com. To make up for the somewhat dry content that is the heart of this book Neyer adds extremely short little essays (about 2 paragraphs worth) on each page and a larger essay and the end of each teams section. For the short essay's Neyer has informed the reader that he tried for baseball items that were not column knowledge. So for instance in the Yankee section there is no essay about Ruth. There is an essay about Dimaggio and Mantle but (and this is the problem with almost all of the short essay's) there is very little analysis and his findings are very general and bland. In the Dimaggio&Mantle essay he talks about how in the 50's Dimaggio was ranked as the 4th greatest OF (Mantle wasn't ranked because he had only played 2 seasons), then 25 years later Dimaggio is still ranked as one of the best OF and Mantle is again not mentioned. His analysis is that today we have a better understanding of these players and we know better now. To prove this point he shows there OPS and picks a few categories and tells you how many times the led their league in it. That's all well and good but the problem is he does all that in three sentences. Nor does he look deeper. Why? Because he can't, becuase these essays must fit the small section they are provided with. So for me I felt cheated a little bit by these essays because there were some that left me wanting him to expand more upon but he didn't. For instance in the Cubs section Neyer has an essay about Palmeiro and Grace. In the end he says that it became apparent that there wasn't going to be enough room for both of them (which is probably true) and that the Cubs traded the wrong one away (again it is probably true). But it is the last sentence that leaves me wanting more. Neyer states that because the Cubs felt they needed a "closer" they ended up trading the wrong guy. It is true that Raffy was traded for a closer. But if it was apparent that one of them was going to leave town wouldn't it be more interesting to find out why the Cubs let Raffy go instead of Grace? Again though Neyer cannot elaborate. The essays at the end of each team section is probably the best part of the book because it is basically having 30 or so brand new Neyer articles at your fingertips. Though again Neyer leaves to statistical work on the cutting room floor. In fact to me it seems that Neyer was making a concerted effort to make this book appeal to the most general of baseball fans. He avoided almost completely "stathead" type stats and formulas nor did he every really get down and dirty with the stats. I guess in terms of marketing trying to appeal at the most basic level is good. But I think people like Bill James have proven that statistical type baseball books can sell. Though it is possible and probably true that Neyer doesn't have the credentials yet to write books in the style of James and get them published.

In the end if you haven't already guessed it I did not like this book. Which to me is a shame because I was looking forward to it and had liked his previous work, Baseball Dynasties. It seems to me that Neyer was trying provide a little something for everyone but in the end that only made a book that wasn't very interesting

The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Caregivers (Comfort of Home, The)
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Midwest Book Review

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The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Caregivers (Comfort of Home, The)
Maria M. Meyer , and Paula Derr
Manufacturer: CareTrust Publications LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Eldercare | Aging Parents | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0966476794

Book Description

Burnout — the complete drain of physical, spiritual, and emotional reserves — occurs when a caregiver slips into exhaustion or depression. More and more frequently, the responsibility of caring for the chronically ill child, the disabled spouse, or the aging parent falls on a family member. From the decision to be a caregiver to dealing with day-to-day activities, this guide provides help with every aspect of home care. Also included in this edition are a checklist of tasks, a chapter on self-care and avoiding caregiver burnout, a glossary, and list of helpful resources.

Customer Reviews:

Midwest Book Review.......2007-09-27

The Midwest Book Review (April 2007) writes: Now in a newly and substantially revised and expanded third edition, "The Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide For Caregivers" continues to earn its reputation as the 'bible' for providing home caregivers to aged, ill or handicapped loved ones with a thoroughly 'user friendly' illustrated guide that covers everything necessary from daily living tasks to preparations for hospice care, to making funeral arrangements. This is a complete and superbly organized, 216-page, comprehensive 'how to manual that will help the caregiver to develop their skills, expertise, and confidence, which will in turn enhance their peace of mind with respect to the quality of life for the person they are caring for. [Vogel's Bookshelf - The Midwest Book Review, April 2007]

Packed full of information.......2007-08-17

Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (8/07)

I was really impressed with the comprehensive material in this 3rd edition of "The Comfort of Home." As a Social Worker in a previous life, this would have been the book that I would have given to individuals who were considering becoming a primary caregiver. Nothing has been left out in this very well-written guide that a person needs to consider when undertaking this process.

"The Comfort of Home" is set up so that it can be read from beginning to end, or as a reference guide that a person can look up specifics. Oftentimes, taking on the task of a caregiver seems completely overwhelming. Meyer helps break the tasks down into manageable steps that include tips, questions that need to be asked and additional resources to follow up with. The author begins the book by helping the reader decide if home care is an option for them to consider. Her approach is honest and guilt-free for the person making this decision. Following this process, a person needs to decide what level of care is needed and whether this can be provided at home. I really thought that the section on paying for care through Medicare, Medicare part D, Medigap and the many other types of benefits was easy to follow.

As a proponent of long-term planning, I especially liked the section for setting up a care plan. Following these suggestions will make it easy to have someone step in as a temporary caregiver to give the primary caregiver a break, reporting to medical staff and in helping the caregiver not to make mistakes. Being a caregiver can be exhausting and keeping records on the patient, especially with important medication schedules. There are so many chapters that cover every aspect of a person's life such as exercise, diet, nutrition, special challenges and daily activities. Each area is thoughtfully addressed and ends with other available resources in dealing with that area.

The author does an excellent job throughout "The Comfort of Home" in reminding the caregiver to take care of themselves. She even includes a whole section on how to avoid burnout and ends with dealing with funeral arrangements and the grieving process. I would highly recommend this guide to anyone who is considering becoming a caregiver.

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