Book Description
Ask the successful CEOs of major corporations, entrepreneurs, top salespeople, and pastors what characteristic is most needed for success in leadership positions, and they'll tell you-it's the ability to work with people.
Some people are born with great relationship skills, but those who are not can learn to improve them. In
Winning with People Maxwell has translated decades of experience into 25 People Principles that anyone can learn.
Maxwell has divided the People Principles in this book according to the questions we must ask ourselves if we want to win with people:
- Readiness: Are we prepared for relationships?
- Connection: Are we willing to focus on others?
- Trust: Can we build mutual trust?
- Investment: Are we willing to invest in others?
- Synergy: Can we create a win-win relationship?
Each section contains guiding People Principles. Some are intuitive, such as
The Lens Principle: Who We Are Determines How We See Others. Others may go against your instincts, such as
The Confrontation Principle: Caring for People Should Precede Confronting People. All of them are 100 percent practical!
Customer Reviews:
This book makes so much sense!.......2007-08-24
I always thought the "Golden Rule" was to treat others how you want to be treated, but Maxwell's interesting take was that we should treat others how "they" want to be treated. It makes sense! Awesome read and practical application.
If Bob is being ganged up on the problem is with Bob? No. Not nice........2007-08-08
There were some wonderful passages in this book. I took special note of his passage on how to forgive. But the first chapter - that says that if Bob has a problem with everyone Bob has the problem - has been soundly disproved by research in criminology and abuse.
Immature people gang up on people, for no good reason except for that they can get away with it, studies have proved. If everyone has a problem with Bob, we don't blame Bob. That's heartless and experts have a name for it: victim victimization.
Immature people try to reduce others for no other reason than to raise themselves. The good ones - the skilled abusers - will talk behind the back of the person they are trying to power over to garner support when their own actions don't work.
Moreover, immature people will hurt others in order to say, "Look at me! I get along with people better than you." It is a well known characteristic of immaturity that has made its way into all the literature on emotional abuse.
Mature people don't join in the hurt. So if everyone is against Bob something is wrong with everyone, not Bob.
Immature people - teachers, managers, parents - will take the easy way out of a conflict and confront the easiest one to confront. If everyone is ganging up on Bob it's a lot easier to confront Bob and say that he has the problem.
But it is really very cruel... isn't it?
Despite this there were some nice things to be learned. Just beware.
Not-So-Common Common Sense.......2007-03-21
Like all John Maxwell books, this book is full of some not-so-common common sense that will improve your relationships and leadership skills if you take the author's advice to heart. This book is simple and straightforward, making it easy to read and understand. The principles described in this book focus specifically on communicating, working with, learning from, and investing in others. What may be the most helpful aspect of the book is the series of questions Maxwell poses to at the end of each chapter to help the reader ponder and reflect where they stand on a particular attribute or skill. The ideas are not necessarily new, but they are wise. Stories and quotes from other people's lives are sprinkled throughout Maxwell's own thoughts and experiences, creating a well-rounded narrative as to how to improve yourself. The bottom line is this: No matter what we do or why we do it, life is about people, and this book will help you do whatever you do better.
Should have owned this book a couple of years ago!.......2007-03-13
I just finished reading this book and I can't be thankful enough to JCM for inspiring me to change my approach on people and to myself. Even if most of them are plain common sense, JCM makes it inspiring and absorbing to the reader like me. He aims to keep reminding people to be always nice to others without expecting anything much in return. If only I read this book 2 or 3 years ago, who knows how much I've improved socially today! But just like what he said here, don't dig the past and regret them. We just need to focus on the present and start changing! Kudos to John Maxwell!
Simple, Practical Advice About Relationships.......2006-12-22
This is one of those simple, yet practical books about how to succeed in life by simply taking care of your relationships. The author proposes, and I agree, that when it comes down to it, relationships are what really matter. If your relationships suffer, you suffer. If your relationships are great, you won't despair life.
The book is broken down into five major sections; 1) preparing for relationships, 2) obtaining the correct focus, 3) building trust, 4) maintaining the relationship, and 5) growing together with those you have solid relationships with.
This book is very easy to read and understand (about 6 hours). Of course, as any book of this genre, the application is the tough part, but this author makes each of the lessons simple enough that it doesn't take an extraordinary amount of effort to actually apply. Even if you just follow half, or a third, you'll be much better off than where you are today.
This book is applicable for a spouse (male or female), a budding young business person, or an old codgy badger. The content here will help you more than intelligence ever will.
Book Description
Many knitters have found socks to be the perfect portable project for today's active lives. This book features 70 winning sock patterns from Knitter's Magazine sock contest.
Customer Reviews:
Must have for stash.......2007-05-13
I haven't knit many socks, but I love this book.
Instructions are for double pointed needles. Easy read instructions. I did fine switching the instructions to circular needles instead. The books is set up with easy socks in the front and most difficult in the back. So they reach many different areas in experience of sock knitters. They also have all different people for the sock patterns, meaning for baby, children, man, woman; not just one type.
Best sock book I own. It's never far from my knitting chair........2007-04-09
I've been knitting forever but hadn't tackled socks because I was intimidated. I've had this beek since it came out and it doesn't leave my side. The instructions on heels and gussets were instrumental in my becoming a competent sock knitter. Even today, when I can knit a sock without a pattern, I still reference this book for various heel turns. This book gave me the skills sets needed to use other sock books.
That's not to say I'd make all of the socks in this book (many are very silly). But, I do use this book more than 95% of the books in my knit/crochet collection.
Both Creative and Basic Patterns.......2007-03-26
This book has a wide range of patterns in both skill level and creativity. There is enough information here that a beginner could easily make their first sock from this book; there are also patterns here that would stretch the skills of even advanced knitters. All patterns are very well written and photographed. While not a technique book, there is a very nice index with multiple methods given for most techniques. I particularly enjoy looking at the socks in the section entitled "Whimsical", as these designs are very creative, ranging from edible licorice socks to miniature stockings to the cover photo, socks with a complex swirling pattern. Many of these patterns are on my "To Make" list and hopefully I will eventually have the skill to make some of their 'adventurous' level designs.
Incredible socks.......2007-03-08
If you like knitting socks, you'll love this book. It has the most basic to very challenging patterns. The socks on the cover are something else!
Knitter's always provides us with the best to knit! If you like knitting socks, you'll enjoy this book.
Wonderful Book for Learning How to Knit Socks for the First Time.......2007-01-15
I can see why this book recieved a large number of positive reviews. I wished that I had found this book first when making my first pair of knitted socks. There is a wonderful diagram in this book which labels all the components of knitted sock construction, which I had not seen in any other book, and every pattern is illustrated with a set of double pointed needles (dpn's) showing how many stitches you should have on each needle for each stage of the sock construction, an awesome 'way finding' hint for the beginning sock knitter. There is a wide variety of patterns from beginner to advanced, with something for every knitter including lace, texture and color patterns.
Book Description
Forget everything you think you know about strength, strategy and success. This brilliant adaptation of the ancient masterpiece The Art of War shows women how to use Sun Tzu’s philosophy to win in every aspect of life.
Would you like to transform your weaknesses into strengths? Succeed at work without compromising your ethics? Integrate your style and personal philosophy into every action you take? If so, this book is for you. In The Art of War for Women, bestselling author Chin-Ning Chu brings the eternal wisdom of philosopher-general Sun Tzu to women looking to gain a better understanding of who they are – and, more importantly, who they want to be.
In the West, when we think of war, we imagine battle, casualties, brutality. But Sun Tzu, the man who wrote the Art of War some 2,500 years ago, was Chinese, and the Chinese think of war differently than we do in the West. In their view, war does not revolve around fighting. It is about determining the most efficient way of gaining victory with the least amount of conflict.
That’s why Sun Tzu’s Art of War is particularly appropriate for women. Let’s face it, as intelligent and accomplished as we may be, there are very few of us who are comfortable with direct confrontation or situations where our triumph means someone else’s defeat. We are natural negotiators and problem solvers; most of us prefer win-win situations to those in which winner-takes-all.
But there is another reason The Art of War is particularly appropriate for us. Although Sun Tzu’s book is about the application of strategies, every one of those strategies begins with having a deep understanding of the people and the world around us. They also require us to understand ourselves – our strengths and weaknesses, our goals and fears. In other words, the aim is not to apply a series of rules coldly and dispassionately, but rather to integrate ourselves and our unique talents into the strategies we will employ.
This is not a feel-good book. (But you will feel good after reading it.) It is not a motivational book. (But you will be motivated to achieve what you want, once you are done.) Ultimately, its purpose it to provide women with the strategies we all need to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of our goals and dreams.
Sun Tzu’s Art of War is the most influential book on strategy ever published, selling tens of millions of copies worldwide in several editions. Written by one of today’s foremost authorities on Sun Tzu, The Art of War for Women is sure to become a classic in its own right.
Customer Reviews:
5 star book!.......2007-10-12
As a women in the midst of working towards changing careers and moving up in the work place, I found this book very useful. This book has made me think about how I present myself at work, what I really want to do with my life, and what I need to do to get there. This book is not at all about feel-good, mushy things, it has us look at our strengths and weaknesses and strategize to succeed. I would recommend this to any women that is career-orientated. In fact, I will be getting this for several friends for Christmas.
A woman's translation for women of the original Art of War that has been in print for centuries........2007-05-01
I enjoyed reading this book. It didn't set my world on fire, but it was fairly well written and easy to follow. I don't like being told too much what I'm going to be told later. The author did a little more of this than I usually put up with. I would have liked the book better if it had just said what it wanted to say.
It contained 13 chapters as follows:
1. Planning: The Elements of Strategy
2. Doing Battle: Speedy Victory
3. Strategy: Know Thyself & Others
4. Disposition: Win First, Then Fight
5. Momentum: Use Timing to Generate Momentum
6. Real & Unreal: Illusion is the Other Side of Reality
7. Conflict: Don't Show Your Hand
8. Imagination: See Things No One Has Seen
9. Managing the Troops: The Principles of Management
10. Terrain: Move According to Your Environment
11. Nine Battlegrounds: Be More Competitive by Doing Less
12. Attack by Fire: Fireproofing Yourself
13. Espionage
If you have goals and dreams, then you may find this book helpful when trying to put together a strategy for trying to reach them. It will remind you that you have strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in your life. And a little strategic planning can help you solve your problems in an efficient manner.
My favorite chapter was #1. The six elements discussed there were:
>> Righteousness: How to make winning decisions.
>> Timing: From universal to personal timing.
>> Resources: Turn your liabilities into assets.
>>Leadership: A state of mind.
>>Managing: It's all about execution.
>> Deception: Appear weak when you are strong.
The book is just as applicable to men as it is to women. But the author's target audience is women. Everything in the book is written as though the author is speaking to a woman. 4 stars!
Helpful Advice for Issues that are Ages Old.......2007-04-29
Back about 2,500 years ago, a Chinese man named Mr. Sun went through many hardships and lived in a world full of civil war. Seeking to gain employment with the current leader, he wrote a "military resume". This work outlined his tactics in an obscure manner so that the leader would be intrigued enough to talk to him - and would need to keep Sun around to interpret and put into action the words. That opus was of course The Art of War, and "Mister" in ancient Chinese was written as Tzu.
2,500 years later, it seems that this deliberately complex and vague work has become the guidebook for men and women in all aspects of life. Its advice on how to approach a problem, how to deal with adversity and how to handle the whims of fate are as valid today as they were back then. People are still jealous, deceitful, and harsh. Businesses still undercut each other. Co-workers still back-stab to get ahead. The problems that Sun Tzu wrote about are problems we face today. The answers, in essence, are the same.
Chin-Ning Chu, an accomplished female Chinese business strategist, has taken on this work in a fresh light. Yes, the tactics are great for men facing battles in a male world - but in modern times, women have stepped up to gain their stage. A revolution not seen for thousands of years is taking place, where women are educated, can vote, have full and equal rights alongside men. As they say in the movies, with great power comes great responsibility. For perhaps the first time in history, it is no longer enough to blame the glass ceiling, the upbringing, the pressures of the world for our success or failure. We have - more than perhaps any generation which came before us - the ability to take the reins in our hands and give it our very best shot.
That's the straight-from-the-hip advice provided by the book. With numerous examples, we hear how women claimed they were helpless and unfairly turned down for promotions and advancement, when investigation found that these women actually sabotaged their own chances. Life isn't always fair, but in order to succeed in whatever arena you choose - family life, charity work, the boardroom - you have to do your very best to shine. Success won't be handed to you just because you think you deserve it. You need to be your own most vocal advocate - and to do that promotion in a way most in line with the atmosphere you are in.
The book is realistic. If you've got a nasty co-worker that is always undermining you, various techniques will be offered to help you overcome the situation. However, in the end, it may be best to find another job. You might claim that the job is perfect for you - but a job is a complex combination of many factors, which includes the people you work with. Another job will be *more* perfect because its combination is more in line with your path for yourself.
You also get a message echoed in many other current releases, which is to make sure the path you're on is one you really *want* to be on, deep down. People strive to be top in business because it's expected of them, not necessarily because it will make them personally happy. If you'd rather be home with the kids, running a small business from your home office, then find a way to make that work. It is critical that your daily life reflects your dreams and goals if you want to be truly happy, for your family and friends around you to share in that joy, and to find a real measure of success.
I found a few of the sections to be a bit extreme. One area talks about sexual harassment and says that women get offended by a pat on the shoulder. Perhaps some women do - but I don't! I find encouraging physical contact like that to be an important part of our society. It's very sad if we've gotten to the point that patting someone on the shoulder as a congratulation is grounds for legal action.
In general, though, I found a lot of helpful advice in here. At its very core, the entire book is a reminder that nothing is new under the sun. Issues that we find pressing in our current modern world were just as important 2,500 years ago. People are simply the way they are. By reading through the wisdom of the ages, we can help make our own world one which are are proud to live in, and our path one we are happy to follow.
Sun Tzu as You've Never Seen Him.......2007-04-22
There are so many of these books. Sun Tzu for this, Sun Tzu for that, Sun Zu for a landscaper, that I thought several times before buying yet another. But the book is slim, so I bought. Glad I did. Chu gets to the point: a woman needs to pick whether she wants to be Cinderella or a CEO, but she can't be both(Sun's advice to know yourself); don't blame discrimination for not moving ahead even if real( pick your battles and don't pull the litigation trigger mindlessly); a jealous co-worker trying to undermine you, then "slap her twice the first time she steps out of line"(as Sun wrote, "keep your plan as dark as the night/when you move/be as unpredictable as the thunderbolt."). Always keep in mind that your goals and decisions must be righteous---do the right thing for the right reason. This is not cuddly advice(been dating a guy for several years and he won't marry you? Read her section on the Tao of Closing the Deal for both personal and business advice. ) She makes clear that Sun must be read as a whole, that each section of the Art of War compliments the other. A welcome addition to the literature.
Customer Reviews:
A Clear and Concise Guide on How to Write a Successful Statement for your Application Package.......2006-07-26
Of all the tasks we usually face when applying to graduate and professional schools, from choosing universities to preparing for and taking admission and standardized tests, from soliciting recommendations to having transcripts send out, writing a good personal essay is among the most important and difficult to accomplish. The strong competition for admissions to grad schools, the personal statement often becomes a crucial element of your application package. It is the one element that can set you apart from the competition and open the door to your successful application.
This book describes the mistakes that applicants commonly make, and offer advice on how to make your statements as effective as possible. The book dedicates 60 pages to display 40 winning personal statements, as practical examples of what should be included and what not in order to write the essay that could give you the unconditional acceptance to the grad school or program of your choice.
Absolutely a must have for anyone applying to graduate and professional school.
a MUST for all students applying to graduate school........2005-02-22
This book was EXCELLENT. I had read two other books before this one, and was disappointed. Though they claimed to be good for grad apps, they were clearly geared toward undergraduate application essays. This book asks thought-provoking questions that help to bring to light relevant experiences and skills that you may have left out. It is great as far as taking you through the process of brainstorming, writing, and revising, but also explains how to write a good essay even if the deadline is looming. It was very good at helping me to organize my thoughts and feel like a good essay was just around the corner - which did wonders for calming my anxiety about the process. The examples in the book were also very helpful, and this is the first book I have seen that had sections dedicated to specific programs (medical, law, business, etc.) THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Personal Statement 101.......2003-09-23
In "How to Write a Winning Personal Statement for Graduate and Professional School", Mr. Stelzer concisely elucidates how one must bring out an original yet refreshing personal statement. 90% of the sample essays are geared towards the Big 3- Law, Medical, and Business. For students interested in other programs like myself, there are several takeaways one could get from this book. I would strongly suggest using the questionnaires in the Appendix. I learned several things from the pages on advice from admissions representatives. I would also suggest reading all the sample essays first and then the introductory chapter which would help one lay out the groundwork for an original personal statement. Real Essays for College and Grad School by Anne McKinney is another helpful book. Good Luck!
A great essay writing guide.......2003-08-14
I found this book to be the absolute best of its kind
Simple book that helped me write my statement........2003-06-19
Simply written book that lays out from the admissions perspective what a good essay contains.
Helped get me into Berkeley.
Book Description
Prepare and present a winning civil court case!
Written in plain English, Represent Yourself in Court breaks down the trial process into easy-to-understand steps so that you can act as your own lawyer -- safely and efficiently. Find out what to say, how to say it, even where to stand when you address the judge and jury.
Armed with these simple but thorough instructions, you'll be well prepared to achieve good results, without the cost of an attorney. Find out how to:
*file court papers
*handle depositions and interrogatories
*comply with courtroom procedures
*pick a jury
*prepare your evidence and line up witnesses
*present your opening statement and closing argument
*cross-examine hostile witnesses
*understand and apply rules of evidence
*locate, hire and effectively use expert witnesses
*make and respond to your opponent's objections
*get limited help from an attorney as needed
*monitor the work of an attorney if you decide to hire one
Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, this book will help you confidently handle a divorce, personal injury case, landlord/tenant dispute, breach of contract, small business dispute or any other civil lawsuit.
The 5th edition is completely updated to include the latest rules and court procedures, and more sample documents to help guide you through your case.
Table of Contents
1. Going It Alone in Court
2. The Courthouse and the Courtroom
3. Starting Your Case
4. Pretrial Procedures
5. Investigating Your Case
6. Settlement
7. Pretrial Motions
8. Proving Your Case at Trial: The Plaintiff's Perspective
9. Proving Your Case at Trial: The Defendant's Perspective
10. Selecting the Decision Maker
11. Opening Statement
12. Direct Examination
13. Cross-Examination
14. Closing Argument
15. Exhibits
16. Basic Rules of Evidence
17. Making and Responding to Objections
18. Organizing a Trial Notebook
19. Expert Witnesses
20. When Your Trial Ends: Judgments and Appeals
21. Representing Yourself in Divorce Court
22. Representing Yourself in Bankruptcy Court
23. Getting Help From an Attorney: Hiring a Legal Coach
Glossary
Index
Download Description
"You don't have to pay a lawyer upwards of $200 an hour to represent you in a civil lawsuit! Written in plain English, Represent Yourself in Court breaks down the trial process into easy-to-understand steps so that you can act as your own lawyer -- safely and efficiently. Veteran attorneys Bergman and Berman-Barrett tell you what to say, how to say it, even where to stand when you address the judge and jury. Armed with the simple but thorough instructions in Represent Yourself in Court, you can be heard and taken seriously in any courtroom. And better yet, you'll be well prepared to achieve good results, without having to pay a lawyer's ransom. Learn how to: -file court papers -handle depositions and interrogatories -comply with courtroom procedures -pick a jury -prepare your evidence and line up witnesses -present your opening statement and closing argument -cross-examine hostile witnesses -understand and apply rules of evidence -locate, hire and effectively use expert witnesses -make and respond to your opponent's objections -get limited help from an attorney on an as-needed basis -monitor the work of an attorney if you decide to hire one Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, this book will help you confidently handle a divorce, personal injury case, landlord/tenant dispute, breach of contract, small business dispute or any other civil lawsuit. The latest edition provides extensive information on summary judgements. "
Customer Reviews:
Don't go into court without this!.......2007-09-01
As a Pro Se Petitioner, I have found this book to be incredibly helpful! It explains all of the ins and outs of trial, how to organize a trial notebook, how to arrange your questioning, and how to cross examine among many other important facts. This book contains the inforation that lawyers know, that we need to know, but have not gone to many years of school. It is written in plain English, and is a MUST for anyone looking to go into or try to avoid going to trial!
Fantastic reference for the layperson.......2007-04-17
I was thoroughly impressed how well written and easy to understand this book is. Each step is completely explained, referenced and many documents have examples printed right in the book. There are great tips and tricks to deal with opposing counsel as well as warnings for what type of red flags and tricks to watch for from the other side. This book is an asset for the novice to the more experienced pro se litigator. Definitely a Five Star book.
The best friend for pro se litigants in the strange land of law........2006-07-14
This is one of the best books I have read and enjoyed about pro se litigation. The large font, great white space, and properly displayed summary tables render the book easy to endure and utilize. The authors offer many proverbs and examples for lay people that alleviate the harshness of legal lingo. Moreover, they even translate the formal and non-technical English words into layman's language. For example, words such as "sanction, impeach, strike, motion, cross, re-cross, direct, and re-direct" are simplified to common readers to mean "punish, discredit, delete, request, and questioning of witnesses in different setting".
The authors realize the hardship of hiring a good and trustworthy lawyer and assist the readers in understanding their rights for self-representation. Not only you will learn how not to be a fool pro se, but also how to expose the foolishness of ill-prepared lawyers and how to feel home among busy birds of a feather different from yours.
The book dissects the court room like an anatomy specimen and shows the reader where everyone belongs. (In one of the traffic violation I attended, a defendant brought his 5-year old son to the courtroom, was not able to control his running between the judge's legs and messing up stacks of papers on the reporter's desk.) This book will familiarize you with the territory such that you will avoid acting childishly. Aside from running between the judge's legs, the pro se will learn how to seek permission to approach a witness, to admit exhibits, to strike evidence, and so on.
The paper work phase is explained in great details to remove the anxiety of the long and contentious process that follows. It offers assurance that anxiety and fear are natural reaction to performing on a stage of adversarial nature. Actors, teachers, lawyers go through what a pro se litigant goes through in laboring to defend his or her arguments. It offers forms for different filing purposes, describes exhibits and trial notebook, and explains how to respond to and make objections.
The trial dissection is also magnificent in describing in details the phases of paper work filing, subject and personal jurisdiction, statute of limitation, and the development of the trial process from filling answers, motions, pretrial material, discovery, and evidentiary issue.
The trial process is well described as well to entail opening statement, direct and cross examination, closing statement. It is preceded with extensive elaboration on how settlement, aberration, and mediation most of times cut the process short of a trial.
The elaborate description of informal and formal discovery process is very helpful to pro se litigants since it saves the exuberant amount of money spent on lawyers to gather documents, depose witness, and disclose evidence. The thorough details of the techniques of discovery are presented in bulleted subsections, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
The book extends it discussion to post-trail phases of appeals and judgment. It then delves into specialized areas such as divorce and bankruptcy. The coherence of the book topics serves the readers a great deal in enabling pro se to focus on pertinent legal claims, their elements, the facts that address each element, and the evidence required to prove the facts.
Three trivial problems are noticeable. One, pages are numbered according to chapters which forces the reader to remember two instead of one number when trying to memorize latest page read. Two, referencing to legal coach is excessively used while the book is intended to self-represented parties. Three, excessive branching of references for further reading are everywhere despite the good 24 healthy chapters of the book.
Mohamed F. El-Hewie
Author of
Essentials of Weightlifting and Strength Training
Represent Yourself In Court: How to Prepare & Try a Winning Case (Represent Yourself in Court) .......2006-03-04
This book is amazing! You won't need a lawyer after you read this and it will save you time and money.
Represent Yourself In Court: How to Prepare & Try a Winning Case (Represent Yourself in Court).......2006-01-29
Extremely useful and easy to understand! Practical idea's and great insight.
Book Description
Here is the first and only bite-sized guide to 50 of the most important and inspiring books that already have helped legions of readers unleash their potential and discover the secrets to success in work and life.
Customer Reviews:
Read ... @High Speed ... & Succeed ! .......2007-08-14
This book among the other 3 excellent categories (see below) had a profound impact on my success and level of awareness in jump-starting my career.
Working at a large bank, my level of stress and the resulting time deprivation made it almost impossible to finish ONE book per month.
Now, I enjoy reading, analyzing, and integrating the wisdom of ONE book per day thanks to Tom Bowdon's excellent book summaries.
In short: Read ... @High Speed ... & Succeed !
Here are the other 3 book summaries that I highly (!) recommend:
50 Self-Help Classics: 50 Inspirational Books to Transform Your Life
50 Spiritual Classics: Timeless Wisdom from 50 Great Books on Inner Discovery, Enlightenment and Purpose
50 Psychology Classics: Who We Are, How We Think, What We Do; Insight and Inspiration from 50 Key Books
I strongly believe the three books in the author's trilogy are really an intellectual treasure!.......2006-10-28
50 Self-Help Classics: 50 Inspirational Books to Transform Your Life, From Timeless Sages to Contemporary Gurus
50 Success Classics: Winning Wisdom for Life and Work from 50 Landmark Books
50 Spiritual Classics: Timeless Wisdom from 50 Great Books on Inner Discovery, Enlightenment and Purpose
In the first instance, I have bought these three books in one go because I have been fascinated by what the author had done: He has practised what is known as the highest level of reading. Mortimer Adler, in his classic book, 'How to Read a Book', written in the forties, had called it 'syntopical reading'. It's actually reading a number of books of the same genre, more or less simultaneously & then synthesising the key points.
Secondly, the author, who is a graduate of the London School of Economics, somehow impresses me with his ability to synthesise the big picture of each of the books that made up the entire collection. For apparently a left-brain thinker i.e. economist by training, this has been a very remarkable feat, as his synthesising endeavour has been essentially more of a right-brain activity. Well, I must compliment him for a job well done.
Before my final decision on buying the three books, I have been thrilled by the prospect of reading three books, which in turn will give me access to one hundred & fifty books.
For each book, the author has very artfully as well as skillfully selected fifty books to made up one collection. I may not agree with his selection, but I must admit that I can't default him at all.
Take the first book, '50 Self Help Classics', with timeless wisdom, as an example. Out of the fifty books he has selected, I have read only seventeen of them. I have those books in my personal library.
For the second book, '50 Success Classics', I have read & still own sixteen of the landmark books on winning wisdom selected by the author.
For the third & final book, '50 Spiritual Classics', covering timeless sages & contemporary gurus, I have read only & still own three of them, namely 'The Tao of Physics', 'The Way of the Peaceful Warrior' & 'Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'.
For those books I have read previously, totaling thirty-six of them (probably stretching over three decades of my life), & upon revisiting them again in the trilogy, which actually took me one whole weekend to complete, starting on Friday evening & finishing on Sunday night, I must say that the seemingly marathon reading experience has been very refreshing & uplifting. It has also given me the opportunity to check & verify whether the author has captured the key ideas or essence of those books. I don't think I can find fault with the author in this respect.
Not only that, in the first book, I am very impressed that the author has cut through the bewildering array of choices to bring the essential ideas, insights, and techniques from the `literature of possibilities'. In works that span the world's religions, cultures, philosophies, & centuries, he summarizes each work's key ideas & finally makes clear how these legendary classics can educate, affirm, & motivate anyone searching for the inspiration to make a meaningful life change.
In the second book, the author is back with his wide-ranging collection of enduring works from pioneering thinkers, philosophers, & powerful leaders, like Napoleon Hill, Stephen Covey, Kenneth Blanchard, Baltasar Gracian & Christopher Maurer; from the inspirational rags to riches stories of such entrepreneurs, like Andrew Carnegie, Warren Buffet & Sam Walton to the leadership lessons of Sir Ernest Shackleton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln & Nelson Mandela, just to name a few.
In the third book, I believe the author has captured the very best in spiritual writing: They include personal diaries & compelling biographies of such diverse figures as Gandhi, Malcolm X, & Black Elk & Eastern philosophers & gurus including Krishnamurti, Yogananda, Chögyam Trungpa & Suzuki; & Western saints & mystics such as St. Francis of Assisi, Herman Hesse & Simone Weil. For each book in this volume, the author offers insightful commentary on how these classics can help spiritual seekers everywhere bring personal beliefs, values & practices squarely into the center of their every day lives.
Reading the three foregoing books has been quite a breeze because the meaning of each work is initially captured 'in a nut shell' at the onset, coupled with a representative quote as well as cross-referencing to similar work. In each work, appropriate sectional headings in bold print make it really easy for the reader to follow the author's train of thoughts over some six pages. There is also a short biographical sketch of the author of the respective work.
I must admit that the third book in the trilogy has been the most challenging for me to read as I normally do not go for such stuff. To put it bluntly, it's not my cup of tea. On the other hand, the curiosity streak in me has been too overwhelming, since I relish the thought that I could read fifty spiritual classics in just one book!
Overall, & for all those books I have not yet read at all (some of which I have not even heard of), I really enjoyed digesting the author's bite-sized summaries (in actuality, they are only the main ideas, context & impact of each title, to give a taste of the literature, so to speak) in the three collections or volumes, even though some of the titles are relatively esoteric for me. The entire reading journey has been enlightening, inspirational & yet humbling in some areas. Best of all, there are useful tools & practical techniques to take away from each collection!
For the first & last book in the trilogy, namely, '50 Self Help Classics' & '50 Spirtual Classics', the author has respectively provide a list of additional 50 books. The titles are certainly enticing! Well, all I can say is this: I wish the author will repeat his syntopical reading exercise covering these books & add two more volumes, that will make a quintulogy, for all the readers out there, including me!
As usual, all my three books are now scribbled with my own hand-written marginal annotations as well as my fancy colour marker symbols. Additionally, there are also colourful sticky notes in between selected pages. My next personal assignment is to transfer all these notations into mindmaps with Mindmanager Pro.
To end my review, I have one last humble comment to make. Out of the one hundred & fifty bite-sized summaries, I still don't quite get it from 'The Bhagavad-Gita' as outlined in the author's '50 Self Help Classics'. I have not read this work before although I have heard about it. [J Y Pillay, former Chairman of Singapore Airlines, who is credited for building the airline to what it is today, A Great Way to Fly, has vouched for this ancient Hindu scripture as an inspiration for his leadership success during an interview.] However, in the same vein, I found that I could relate quickly to Deepak Chopra's 'The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success' but simply not this one! I may have to explore other avenue.
In site of the above minor short-coming, I strongly believe that the three books in the author's trilogy are really an intellectual treasure!
Excellence.......2006-08-28
Butler-Bowdon is my guide through the literature of inner -development. His books have helped me grow as an individual and continue to help in my research for the books I choose to write to help humanity. His knowledge is exceptional and his choice of books is perfect. He truly is an expert in this area. I recommend his entire series and genuinely cant wait to get Psychology Classics. Thanks for helping humanity with your writing Mr. Butler-Bowdon.
10 stars
Author, Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds and Upcoming Release of Eastern Wisdom for Your Soul.
Cliff Notes for Ambitious Over-Achievers! .......2006-08-09
Truly, this is a great condensed volume of success advice. Butler-Bowden does the hard work for you, and in one volume you get the "meat" of 50 books. And, these 50 are some pretty hefty books. Some contemporary, some classic, but all contain valuable kernels of information that Butler-Bowden has already sussed out for you. The author includes a brief biography of the authors of the books he has chosen, and in many instances, those stories are just as inspiring.
I really enjoyed being reminded of "The Inner Game of Tennis". I read that book a long, long, time ago and 20+ years later, I have used the information time and again. Perhaps this little book helped make me a lifelong self-learner. I'm pretty sure it helped me be a better parent, teacher and manager.
For fans of success and achievement books, some of these selections are like old friends you need to get in touch with, and many will probably be new stories you'll grow to love.
If, on the other hand, you are a new student of success, seeking a meaty source for success education and information this is definitely bang for your buck. It might inspire you to read some of the "whole" books, but even this condensed "cram session" will leave you inspired and informed.
Helpful as a guide! A good book or not, depends!.......2006-04-11
As a book lover who had read over 100 self help/success books, I must thank the author for telling me that I still miss a lot. In fact, I just ordered 10 out of the 42 I had not yet read. In this respect, this book is a very helpful guide. However, under the constraint that the author can devote only 6 pages to each classic, including a brief biography of respective authors, the essence of individual classics had not been brought out, at least not in the 8 books I had read. I understand that it might be a compromise, pitifully.
For book lovers who want to know what they should read, and for those who just want to quote or boast in front of their friends, this book is a good choice. For those who want help from compleat self help books, I suggest them to look for some books else. Just go straight to Success Principles by Jack Canfield, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins, Good Luck by Alex Rovira etc etc.
Book Description
A survival manual for the corporate jungle Office politics are a fact of corporate life. From new hire to experienced executive, everyone needs to learn how to effec-tively play the game to win. From sizing up the political climate in the office, to building positive relationships to increasing political power, Secrets to Winning at Office Politics is the handbook for achieving on-the-job success. Marie McIntyre, organizational psychologist and corporate coach, reveals proven strategies to: -Turn adversaries into allies -Counter colleagues' powerplays -Develop an influence strategy -Cope with quirky bosses and annoying coworkers -Achieve personal and professional goals.
Customer Reviews:
how to achieve your goals and increase your influence at work.......2007-05-13
The book is very descriptive of what to do to get ahead in any organization. I really enjoying it
Yep, it's true........2007-02-20
Reading this book is like reading the manual for just about any corporation with more than 20 people. It doesn't matter where you go, you will run into a lot of what you will find in this book. It certainly doesn't hurt to be prepared.
A "must read" for every professional!.......2007-02-07
I read this book before staring my new job. I feel more prepared than ever for what I need to do to be successful. This book was so thorough and content-rich, I put tabs in it and carry it with me to work . . . just in case I need to reference something or need a "refresher course". I recommend this book for seasoned professionals as well as those just entering the workforce!
Give this book to graduates and employees!.......2005-08-01
The title of Chapter One in Secrets to Winning at Office Politics says it all, "Politics is not a dirty word." Office politics has always had a negative connotation but in reality it has just taken a bad rap. Secrets reminds us that office politics is simply the reality of relationships and Dr. Marie McIntyre shows us all how to play the game - honestly, ethically and successfully.
McIntyre uses real life examples from her experience working for a Fortune 500 company and her consulting business to give the reader an excellent view of the real world at the office. Her straightforward yet entertaining style is refreshing and her practical advice and self-assessment questions and surveys make the book a gem.
Secrets lays out in very practical and anecdotal style how one can succeed simply by understanding the unwritten rules of working with and for someone. What is unique about the book is the openness with which the subject is discussed - the real life examples are those we can all relate to as an employee, a boss, a parent, a teacher or a friend. It provokes a kind of self-evaluation that some people never seriously consider.
Give this book to every high school or college graduate you know! If you are the boss, read it, and then encourage your employees to do the same. It's a keeper.
Customer Reviews:
A cheap book, priced right.......2007-09-16
I bought this book based on a recommendation given in a session designed to help employees prepare for retirement. I found little of value in the book.
An easy read with practical solutions and excersices........2007-02-06
This book is written in such a way that it applies to everyone looking for this solution. And it gives very easy excersices to help you think and figure out 'your' living.
Joyfully Jobless can mean happily self-employed.......2006-11-29
If you've ever wanted to tell your boss what he can do with your job, if you've ever thought, "boy, if I could just do this (whatever it is that you love) for a living...", or if you want to call all the shots when choosing a career, this is the book for you. This book is an easy, enjoyable read. Barbara gives some ideas for self employment, and helps you evaluate which opportunities are a good fit. Not a step-by-step primer, but a great book to help you open up to the possibilities.
Worth the money and the read!.......2006-08-13
This is a great book and very motivational. It was helpful with many suggestions and informational if you want to live a better life independent of being dependant on others to make your living. A great and fun read, the reason for reading this does not matter. I purchased for my son-in-law and read it first. Now that he has it and does not wish to return it, I will purchase my own copy.
Afraid to Change Jobs - Don't Be - This Book Makes it Fun!.......2006-07-28
I first encountered "Making a Living Without a Job:.." by Barbara Winter about 9 years ago. I had bought it for my husband, who was in between jobs, and ended up reading it myself. By the time I was done, I had determined to leave a 20 year career in computers and go to massage school. I now own my own health center in New York state.
One year I gave 10 of these books to people who were 'stuck' in their jobs/careers but who were afraid to change. As a result 14 people ended up changing their jobs/careers because the people to whom I gave the book also passed it on.
I find, as a massage therapist, that much of the stress people have is due to a poor fit in their career. What might have been right at one time in their life, no longer is good for them.
I recommend this book to someone at least once each week and have now decided to have it in stock.
I recently gave copies to two friends who might need to leave high executive positions in an international corporation.
ANYONE at any LEVEL in ANY JOB can find the step-by-step analysis in this book the most helpful thing EVER in helping them to find the job that will really be fulfilling for them!
Connie Wehmeyer
Book Description
From It’s All Politics
Like business in general, politics is not a spectator sport. You cannot afford to be apolitical at work if you have any aspirations for advancement. The only way to avoid politics is to avoid people—by finding an out-of-the-way corner where you can do your job. Of course, it’s the same job you’ll likely be doing for the rest of your career.
In any job, when you reach a certain level of technical competence, politics is what makes all the difference with regard to success. At that point, it is indeed all politics. Everyday brilliant people take a backseat to their politically adept colleagues by failing to win crucial support for their ideas. Sometimes politics involves going around or bending rules, but more typically it’s about positioning your ideas in a favorable light, and knowing what to say, and how and when to say it.…
Keep in mind that people benefit from perpetuating the image of politics as something you either know or you don’t. Ignore them. Political acumen is largely learned from observation. And then it’s a matter of practice, practice, practice. When a journalist suggested that golfing great Gary Player was very lucky, he replied: “It’s funny, but the more I practice, the luckier I get.” The same is true of politics.
An indispensable guide to mastering the ins and outs of office politics—the single most important factor in getting ahead in your career
As management professor and consultant Kathleen Reardon explains in her new book, It's All Politics, talent and hard work alone will not get you to the top. What separates the winners from the losers in corporate life is politics.
As Reardon explains, the most talented and accomplished employees often take a backseat to their politically adept coworkers, losing ground in the race to get ahead—sometimes even losing their jobs. Why? Because they’ve failed to manage the important relationships with the people who can best reward their creativity and intelligence. To determine whether you need a crash course in Office Politics 101, ask yourself the following questions:
Do I get credit for my ideas?
Do I know how to deal with a difficult colleague?
Do I get the plum assignments?
Do I have a mentor?
Do I say no gracefully and pick my battles wisely?
Am I in the loop?
Reardon has interviewed hundreds of employees, from successful veterans to aspiring hopefuls, examining why some people who work hard and effectively at their jobs fall behind, while those who are adept at “reading the office tea leaves” forge ahead. Being politically savvy doesn’t mean being unethical or devious. At heart, it’s about listening to and relating to others, and making choices that advance everyone’s goals. Like it or not, when it comes to work, it’s all politics. And politics is all about knowing what to say, when to say it, and who to say it to.
Customer Reviews:
Take the Plunge.......2007-07-21
Approaching this book, it seemed to be a Machiavellian Scheming for Dummies. But whatever your field, politics IS a natural human interaction. Please leave your own conceptions about office politics behind and take a look at this book. It won't teach you to topple foreign governments and bilk your clients. Rather, it illustrates the ways people use politics for both good and ill -- sometimes skillfully and sometimes ham-handedly -- and how you can steer those interactions to your advantage rather than being a victim of them. Some of the examples and solutions are overly basic and scripted. But unless you've never driven home from work stewing about a smarmy colleague or cursing a boss, you might get something from this book.
Not Much Substance.......2007-01-09
This book has lots of platitudes and little substance. The author frequently refers to various seminars and coaching that she provides, which is distracting and self-serving. The book is poorly organized and doesn't have much concrete advice. Don't waste your time on it.
Insightful and powerful.......2007-01-04
This book is down to earth and practical which I find refreshing coming from a Ph.D. This is a fantastic book for providing insights into what you might not think about in the workplace - the politics swirliing all around you. I worked really hard and smart but I did not get ahead as fast as some of my peers - Oh, yeah, politics! How to understand them, whether you want to play them or not is essential!
make love not war.......2006-11-30
Being good in office politics, I often read new books on this subject. I've learnt that the best way to get people on one's side is to be honest, sincere an open to others. This woman teaches about being manipulative, playing status games, being rude and calls it "good political skills".
It's hardly believable.
Useful, No-Nonsense Advice.......2006-03-08
This is a clearly written, no-nonsense book about politics in a work environment. It is written with women in mind, because they are relatively new to many workplace environments, but its advice is excellent for men as well. Choose this book for a much higher than average ratio of good advice to filler!
Average customer rating:
- Why should billing by the hour be "the rule"?
|
Winning Alternatives to the Billable Hour, 2nd Edition: Strategies That Work
James A. Calloway
Manufacturer: American Bar Association
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ASIN: 1590311175 |
Book Description
This practical book details the economic and client service advantages of alternative law firm billing methods, the various billing methods currently available and how to select and implement the right alernative billing method for law firms of all sizes.
Customer Reviews:
Why should billing by the hour be "the rule"?.......2006-09-05
Why do so many lawyers simply bill by the hour?
In the increasingly competitive legal market, lawyers are searching for ways to bring their clients more value. This book encourages lawyers to break out of the hourly billing rut and try a variety of value-based billing strategies.
The book discusses how clients perceive the "value" of legal services. It also suggests how lawyers can assess such value--and bill accordingly. The book sets forth fifteen alternate billing structures and, most important, highlights the pros and cons of each.
As a coach and consultant to lawyers, I particularly liked the chapter on client communication through billing. This is critical: every client communication (including a legal bill) should be treated as a rainmaking tool. Legal bills need to describe the services rendered in a way that lets the client understand and appreciate the full value received.
Lawyers will enjoy the detailed appendix and attached CD full of sample fee agreements and other client correspondence.
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- Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny
- Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny
- A Guide Book of United states Coins 2007 (60th Edition)(Spiral)
- A History of the Federal Reserve, Vol. 1: 1913-1951
- American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21stCentury
- Balanced Scorecard
- Balancing Acts: Obligation, Liberation, and Contemporary Christian Conflicts
- Bangalore Tiger
- Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco
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