Book Description
Managing employees in today’s rapidly evolving workplace can sometimes feel like negotiating a minefield. Such recent new trends as flextime, telecommting, 360-degree feedback, the flattening of hierarchies, and the increased use of temps and contract workers present tough new challenges for supervisors in every field. This timely, completely revised and updated edition of Ferdinand Fournies’s classic management coaching "bible" shows you proven ways to get workers to perform at the highest level while eliminating the self-destructive kinds of behaviors that have become increasingly prevalent in recent years.
In this book, you’ll be taught specific face-to-face interventions you can use to enhance performance in every kind of workplace situation--from sales to creative brainstorming. There are also interventions uniquely suited to resolving problems ranging from low productivity to absenteeism to conflicts between individuals. You’ll learn precisely what to say and do so that each person you supervise will want to give you his or her best work--even when that person was previously thought to be a "problem employee." Packed with brand-new case studies from Fournies’s latest research into the dynamics of the modern workplace, this classic guide takes all the guesswork out of becoming the kind of inspired, "hands-on" manager that every company today is looking for!
Customer Reviews:
A valuable reference on an important skill.......2007-09-02
This is an excellent book on coaching. You will read other views here to the contrary, but that is largely due to the many interpretations of the word "coaching." My primary focus is coaching managers and salespeople in a highly demanding, very technical field. There are many useful and effective tools presented in Fournies' work. Not everything will be applicable in every situation, but this book will give you many ideas for respectful, empathic coaching. If you are a "life coach" or a "mentor" you may prefer other techniques, but you'll still find some good advice here. Looking for achievement and opportunities to provide reinforcement can hardly be considered bad advice. Many managers simply don't know how to make the transition from technical expert or great performer to someone responsible for the performance of others. Fournies gives some valuable tips on doing so.
My recommendation is to read several books on coaching, beginning with John Whitmore's 3rd edition of Coaching for Performance. If you coach salespeople, also read Managing Major Sales by Rackham and Ruff. And if you are coaching others, read Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman; coaching others requires, first and foremost, self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy. Goleman's book will raise awareness of the importance of these qualities in business and in life.
Great Handbook for New Managers.......2007-04-03
I have been a sales manager for 10 years. In that time I have read close to 100 books on management and leadership. this is one of my favorites. It is an easy read, it makes solid points and it provides clear direction on what a manager needs to do to help get the most out of their people. I highly recommend this book.
Best business book EVER.......2006-11-10
This is a must have for anyone in a supervisory or managerial role. Simple concepts, easy read...with actual dialogues to help you practice the coaching techniques discussed. And best of all, IT WORKS.
One of the most useful management books yet.......2006-11-06
I wish I had found this book when I started managing people 20 years ago, it would have saved me a lot of painful trial and error. It is a remarkably practical guide that addresses the main problem that many managers face: how to confront performance issues in a way that will yeild a positive outcome, while not crushing or otherwise demotivating the employee. It includes examples of realistic conversations (including the extended silences that often happen, and the brush-off responses, the stalemates). It is also a book that can be constructively shared with your entire team - including those with performance issues - as it helps defuse all emotion and keeps the conversations on the actual and observable behaviors that are getting in the way of the business.
Most Disappointing.......2006-08-24
Having worked in the mental health community for sometime, I was already familiar with this technique and have been using it already. I felt the book was really droll and somewhat condescending in tone. I wouldn't purchase it again. His companion book "Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed to Do and What to Do about It" is a more practical read and enjoyable too--I would recommend that one.
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
Quirky, attractive knitted flowers, fringes, lattice edgings, and other embellishments can add style and flair to handmade knitted garments, store bought sweaters, household items, and more. This book contains hundreds of ideas and instructions for using knitted appliqus, borders, cords, embroidery, and enhancements such as fringes, tassels, pompoms, and ties.
Customer Reviews:
Nicky Epstein's Knitted Embellishments.......2007-05-13
Inspirational with step by step instructions. A must have for the knitter that just loves to knit,this book will have you doing so much more. Wonderful use of knitted cords, great edges, fringes, tassel and emroidery stitches. You will always add that special touch to your knitting. Thank you Nicky for sharing.
Worth the price.......2007-04-11
I have Ms Epstein's other books,Knitting Over The Edge: Unique Ribs, Cords, Appliques, Colors, Nouveau: The Second Essential Collection of Decorative Borders which I enjoyed and Knitting Beyond the Edge: Cuffs and Collars*Necklines*Hems*Closures - The Essential Collection of Decorative Finishes about which I was somewhat less enthused. I decided to get this book, because I was looking for ideas for embelishments, and there it was: "Embellishments," just what I was looking for, so I got it.
I think some of the appliqués are quite imaginative, particularly some of the leaves and pieced flower designs as well as many of the knitted cord appliqué designs, like the Celtic knots and most of the closures in the last few pages of the book. (I do love "frogs.") I will certainly try the technique myself.
The appliqué cord technique was also used effectively for faux cables, and although I enjoy tackling a complex cable from time to time as an exercise, I could see the appliqué system for cables as a very effective way of getting a project completed. It would also allow one to experiment with a design to decide what type of cable looks best on a completed sweater, and just where on the sweater it will most enhance the wearer--and all this without having to rip apart the sweater and do it over again!
The integration of beading into some of the edgings was also interesting and not something I would have thought of myself, because I'm not (yet) a beader. I could imagine the technique making something very special from something quite simple. However some of the designs for heavily beaded tassels seem just way too over the top.
I also like the way cross stitch and embroidery in flosses or yarns could be added to a finished sweater to give the piece the look of fairisle, intarsia, entrelac, and tapestry without the bulk and carryovers that occur with the first two.
I am not, however, a great fan of "bobbles" or raised edgings. I enjoy the technique of the former for its cleverness, and have added bobbles to things like purses, but they tend to make knitted and crocheted products look bulky and awkward in places that should probably not be emphasized on some individuals. (My figure, for instance, is bulky and awkward enough thank you.) Maybe on a very slim person, but definitely not a decorative technique I'd use for the more "mature" shape.
The designs are well illustrated and enlarged enough for the reader to see the techniques displayed. The author uses the method of charted instructions, which I usually find somewhat difficult to follow but which I can see as very useful for visualizing the finished product and its construction.
Most of my objections, though valid from my own perspective, might not be true of others. Maybe one likes heavily beaded tassles, maybe someone else enjoys bobbles. As one of the other reviewers notes; there's something for everyone in this book.
All in all a book well worth the price to add to ones craft library.
A Little Something for Everyone.......2007-02-10
I know, I know: "don't judge a book by its cover." But that is exactly why I had passed on this instructional before. The cover - which doesn't invite anyone to even pick up this book - is an awful diversion from the quality of information found here. Apparently, Epstein found an new editor or photographer to give her current works much, much more visual appeal.
Recently, I bought this and was surprised at what I found. This book is a great place to start! It's actually the 'Cliff Notes' to Epstein's other works - a springboard into the 'Edge' series. I have not bought any of the "Edge" series, only because they seem overwhelming and I didn't think I would actually use them (at least at this point in my knitting life). There is enough variation in patterns, ideas, and techniques to challenge and inspire anyone! This skimmed version is a great place to start. I'm encouraged to pick up her other books and reweigh their value in my knitting library.
Great BOOK!.......2007-01-16
My cut and sew knitwear professor recommended this book to me because it clearly illustrates every step to the knit embellishments. I really love the book and frequently refer to it when I need help coming up with a good idea to improve knit garments. I would recommend this book to a pro or an amatuer because it is really simple to follow along.
One of the best in it's field .......2006-03-01
This book is one of the best in it's filed --at least of the ones that I have seen. I am a great Nicky Epstein fan, because she is so thorough and knows her stuff. You can find a ton of inspiration to embellish and improve your knitted pieces, or any other garment, bag, hat, pillow, toy, etc., for that matter, as the embellishments shown will be wonderful to personalize any item you wish to "treat". The instructions are precise and detailed enough for any but the novice knitter, without being too lengthy. The pictures give you a clear impression of what your result will be. I am glad to have bought this book.
Average customer rating:
- Not particularly useful
- A very good guide to business-level modelling with UML
- Excellent ideas, excellent read!
- Very high level, often inconsistent
- Difficult to apply the recommendation using Rational Rose
|
Business Modeling With UML: Business Patterns at Work
Magnus Penker , and
Hans-Erik Eriksson
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Object-Oriented Design
| Software Design, Testing & Engineering
| Programming
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
Software Development
| Software Design, Testing & Engineering
| Programming
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
UML
| Software Design, Testing & Engineering
| Programming
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Programming
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Languages & Tools
| Programming
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business
| Software
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
Modeling & Simulation
| Computer Science
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
Object-Oriented Software Design
| Computer Science & Information Systems
| New & Used Textbooks
| Stores
| Books
Programming Languages
| Computer Science & Information Systems
| New & Used Textbooks
| Stores
| Books
Software
| Information Systems
| Computer Science & Information Systems
| New & Used Textbooks
| Stores
| Books
General
| Business & Finance
| New & Used Textbooks
| Stores
| Books
All Amazon Upgrade
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Business & Investing
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Computers & Internet
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Business & Investing
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Computers & Internet
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Enterprise Modeling with UML: Designing Successful Software through Business Analysis (The Addison-Wesley Object Technology Series)
-
UML for the IT Business Analyst: A Practical Guide to Object-Oriented Requirements Gathering
-
UML in Practice: The Art of Modeling Software Systems Demonstrated through Worked Examples and Solutions
-
UML 2 Toolkit
-
UML Bible
ASIN: 0471295515 |
Amazon.com
Until now, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) has been primarily used to design software, but should you use it to model your entire business as well? That's the intriguing argument of Business Modeling with UML, a text that combines leading-edge enhancements to UML with some solid thinking about business. Written for any manager with some technical background, this book looks at the possibilities of UML used to model entire organizations.
The book makes a strong case for the advantages of modeling businesses in UML. With models, an organization can provide better software, define and implement new goals, and even decide whether to outsource certain operations. The Erickson-Penker Business Extensions for UML, invented by the authors and presented within the text, permit UML to document the entire business enterprise. This book shows how to model businesses, from business architecture to processes, business rules, and goals. Short case studies--for Web-centric and more traditional companies--are used to illustrate key concepts here.
Later sections of the book will perhaps take a little more background in software engineering to appreciate fully as the book presents a handful of business patterns, which offer reusable solutions to common problems (just like software patterns). The authors also look at how to leverage a business model to create better software.
In engineering, a new car is modeled and thoroughly tested on a computer before any physical prototype is ever built. As the authors point out, a business that has accurate models can test out new ideas cheaply and then adapt to changing market conditions quickly. This title makes a case that UML--a tool traditionally used by software developers--is ready to tackle the job. Read this notably informative and intelligent book to see the possible benefits of business modeling in UML for your organization. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered: Business modeling basics, UML notation and Erickson-Penker Business Extensions, class diagrams and powertypes, object diagrams, statecharts, activity diagrams and swimlanes, sequence and collaboration diagrams, collaboration and use case diagrams, component and deployment diagrams, stereotypes, business architectures, business processes, resources, goals, business rules, Object Constraint Language (OCL) and collections, business views and patterns, business goal allocation, business goal decomposition, business goal-problem, and software architectures
Book Description
"An excellent hands-on book for practitioners eager to document the internal structure and everyday workings of business processes. This clear and practical book belongs on the shelf of everyone dedicated to mapping, maintaining, and streamlining business processes." -Richard Mark Soley, Phd, Chairman and CEO, OMG
"Eriksson and Penker have not just written another patterns book; this is a significant contribution to the key field of business-IT alignment. While capturing profound academic insights, what makes the book so refreshing from a practitioner's viewpoint is the richness of accessible, down-to-earth examples and its pragmatic, unpretentious style."-Paul allen Principal of CBD Strategies and Architectures, Sterling Software
"UML may have been designed by and for software engineers, but Eriksson and Penker have defined a practical extension to UML for describing business processes. They put this extended UML immediately to use with a gallery of common business patterns that should jump start any BPR effort."-Philippe Krchten, Director of Process Development Rational Software
"This book is a marriage between proven business modeling concepts and the techniques of UML. It provides real-world strategies for developing large-scale, mission-critical business systems in a manner accessible to both software and business professionals."-ScottW. Ambler, Author of Process Patterns
Following up on their bestselling book, UML Toolkit, Hans-Erik Eriksson and Magnus Penker now provide expert guidance on how to use UML to model your business systems. In this informative book, key business modeling concepts are presented, including how to define Business Rules with UML's Object Constraint Language (OCL) and how to use business models with use cases. The authors then provide 26 valuable Business Patterns along with an e-business case study that utilizes the techniques and patterns discussed in the book.
Visit our Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/
Customer Reviews:
Not particularly useful.......2004-06-30
I am looking for a book that would be able to flesh out proper business processes utilizing well defined modeling language/framework. Although UML is extremely useful for software development, the author's work did make its case stand with me on UML's usefulness as business process modeling tool.
The examples are too simplistic and the suggested modeling diagrams are far too cluterred for a business personel to understand.(Cluttered diagrams on a simple example) The book would be better if it had a growing case study and used real world examples and diagrams.
A very good guide to business-level modelling with UML.......2003-07-13
One of the weaknesses of the Unified Modelling Language is its relatively limited support for modelling at the Enterprise level, especially to accurately model business processes. The UML purists believe that everything should be reduced to Use Cases, while these authors recognise that much more is necessary.
The book covers five quite distinct topics:
1. An introduction to business modelling and UML, explaining the problems the authors want to help solve, and describing each of the relevant techniques of UML,
2. A proposal for a group of extensions to UML (using that language's own established extensibility mechanisms) so that that it can better model business processes,
3. A description of the variety of views and models which will be required to establish a comprehensive understanding of the business, or at least part of it,
4. A repository of "business patterns", which you can use to model the business,
5. A comprehensive worked example.
Each of these is quite detailed. In particular, the book contains probably the best introduction to the Object Constraint Language (OCL), and its use to model business rules, that I have read anywhere. The sections on how to do business modelling are also very good, as are the introductions to the relevant UML techniques.
The "Eriksson-Penker extensions for business modelling" are important because several UML-based case tools have now implemented them as an emerging standard for business process modelling with UML. If you want to fully understand how these work, this is the book to read.
The business patterns are more of a "curates egg". Some are extremely useful, and others innovative which could easily solve your problems where there is an accurate match. That said, some are less good and seem to state the obvious, although with patterns it is always difficult to know if you are judging some harshly simply because you are so familiar with them and other readers will get more value. Some of the pattern explanations are a bit repetitive, and the "examples" often sound very artificial, but overall they are useful, and a single one which solves a real business modelling problem for you will justify the rest.
At over 400 pages, some of which is occasionally slightly slow and ponderous this is not an ideal book to read from cover to cover. But it is definitely one to study, focusing on whichever topic is most relevant to you at any time, and I can happily recommend it.
Excellent ideas, excellent read!.......2003-02-01
In this book, Eriksson and Penker (E-P) define UML extensions for describing business processes. Here's a summary of my interpretation of thier ideas:
Processes are generally modeled using UML activity diagrams. A "process" is shown as an Activity stereotyped as
<
>. The
<
> activity is also given a new icon and a set of tagged values. I think the icon was added to make buissness developers feel more at home. Instead of a retangle with rounded corners, it looks like a big arrow. Four base types of objects are shown in a process diagram: Goal, Input, Output and Resource objects. "The input objects are resources that are transformed or *consumed* as part of the process..." An input object may become an output object with a state change, but this is not always the case. Sometimes input objects are consumed. E-P say "An output object can be a completely new object created during the processes or it can be a transformed input object". Another quote: "During its execution, the process interacts with other resource objects, objects other than the input and output objects, that are just as vital. These objects carry information required by the process or they are resources responsible for executing the activities in the process, such as people or machines.". Output objects flowing from one process can become input objects or resource objects flowing to another process. Goal objects define a set of rules for controlling the process. A process diagram is drawn with input objects to the left, resource objects below, goal objects above and output objects to the right of each process symbol. Object flows (dashed arrows) are used to connect the objects to the processes. Just as in standard UML,
<
> Activities can contain sub
<
> Activities and Activities. Non-process Activities being automic. The State of an object can be shown with standard UML syntax. A description on the use of "swimlanes" in activity diagrams is also given. Classes of objects and their associations are provided by standard class diagrams. E-P also describe the use of sequence diagrams and state diagrams in a business modeling context. They even provide a meta-model for thier Modeling extensions! The book also describes another type of process diagram that they call an "assembly line" diagram. It appears to be a process diagram that utilizes Packages to represent resource collections. I believe that Eriksson and Penker stayed within the UML standard and in fact thier extensions don't appear to be that "extensive". Mostly some stereotyping, some tagged values and an icon. The second half of the book is dedicated to design patterns for busineess development. But many of these patterns could be very usefull to you. They also show how to provide object constraints using OCL and provide a pretty decent UML primer.
One thing that is bothering me about the process diagrams it that they do not show object collaboration very well. I think that the contractual message passing between objects needs to be shown with informational interface objects rather than parameter lists. I'm withholding judgement at this point. After all, the business models they are describing will never be translated into code, but rather business forms and process documentation and executed by people and not computers. They do however, give a method for creating software system models for automating part of the business system.
All mistakes, misconceptions and missuse of terminolgy in the above description of Eriksson and Penker's book are my own.
Adios,
-Andy
Very high level, often inconsistent.......2003-01-27
The models in this book are interesting but they are too high level to be useful. The modelling style is inconsistent e.g. missing multiplicities. Some of the models are contradictary.
If you have absolutely no idea about any of this stuff, and are interested in the absolute basics, then this book might be useful. If you want to understand the subtleties of a business domain, it won't help.
Difficult to apply the recommendation using Rational Rose.......2003-01-18
I enjoyed the concepts, and the book is actually very readable. But when it came time to start applying the techniques my tune changed a bit. If you are using a simple drawing tool (like Visio or similar) to render your UML diagrams, then this book may be helpful to you. If you are using a more sophisticated tool like Rational Rose, then I think you will have difficulty creating the necessary business extensions and stereotypes. (Is that a criticism of the book or of Rose - you decide).
Another criticism is that the authors appear to have made themselves readily available for questions and additional info, but in fact this is not true in my case. Also the the URL that is provided on page xix (in the introduction), which is supposed to contain additional examples and articles is no longer available. I hate that! It appears as though the authors have left this book behind them, so perhaps you might as well to.
If you are in the inception phase of a business modeling initiative and you are using Rational Rose, then I would not recommend attempting to apply the techniques in this book with that toolset.
Average customer rating:
- Great book - but for the more advance.
- modernist musical architectures
- Mind-bending book for the serious and curious musician.
- A phenomenal resource!
- Excellent resource for intermediate to advanced players.
|
Thesaurus Of Scales And Melodic Patterns (Text)
Nicolas Slonimsky
Manufacturer: Amsco Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Reference
| Subjects
| Books
| Almanacs & Yearbooks
| Atlases & Maps
| Audiobooks
| Business Skills
| Careers
| Catalogs & Directories
| Consumer Guides
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Education
| Encyclopedias
| Etiquette
| Foreign Languages
| Fun Facts
| Genealogy
| General
| Job Hunting
| Large Print
| Law
| Publishing & Books
| Quotations
| Spanish-Language Reference
| Study Guides
| Test Prep Central
| Words & Language
| Writing
General
| Reference
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Instruction & Study
| Theory, Composition & Performance
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Chord Chemistry
-
Modern Chord Progressions
-
Building a Jazz Vocabulary
-
Mel Bay Encyclopedia of Scales, Modes and Melodic Patterns
-
The Jazz Theory Book
ASIN: 082561449X
Release Date: 1975-12-11 |
Product Description
Since its publication in 1947, great musicians and composers of all genres - from Arnold Schoenberg and Virgil Thomson to John Coltrane and Freddie Hubbard - have sworn by this legendary volume and its comprehensive vocabulary of melodic patterns for composition and improvisation.
Customer Reviews:
Great book - but for the more advance........2007-01-09
I purchased this for a friend, so I know very little about the book. All I can comment on is the reaction I got when he received it. He was quite inpressed by the book and it's detail. He spends hours going over the book and using it as a practise guide. I can only assume that it's helping him in his quest to master "Scales And Melodic Patterns".
modernist musical architectures.......2006-11-27
This book is a collection of phrases and scales with the purpose to present some raw material for modern/avantgarde composers, or etude material for the musician preparing themselves to play such ouevres. From a contemporary composer's view, it's probably old news. If you are an improvisor, it is quite interesting stuff, because it contains mainly stuff beyond what you might know as scales from jazz theory. On the other hand be warned, there is nothing of "real" musical "meaning" in it - most of it is just symetrical, mathematically constructed stuff, similar to the diminished scale or whole tone scale. Up to you how to make sense of this material and incorporate in your playing.
Mind-bending book for the serious and curious musician. .......2006-08-02
Nicolas Slonimsky's "Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns" is a mind-bending book filled with harmonic morsels for the curious and self-motivated musician.
Although this book is usually described as a musical "reference" book, it is much more than just a few hundred pages of specific licks to spew over specific chords. There are plenty of books in print today to buy if that is the type of book you are after. Slonimsky's "Thesaurus," however, is in a totally different vein. The concepts are just as deep, interesting, and fresh today as they were in 1947 when the book was first published. For anyone who has tackled the ins and outs of conventional harmony and wants something more interesting to think about, this is the book.
It is true that Slonimsky does not come right out and say how to specifically apply these concepts and phrases. Instead, he leaves little clues (many of which are in the Introduction) to help guide and provide the reader with a few different options of harmonizations and applications. Quite simply, with the "Thesaurus," you get what you put into it. If you spend time analyzing, applying, and considering the things in this book, it will over time become clear as to what it is all really about. One of the great things about this book is it inspires an individualistic approach; you learn to develop your own way of thinking as you work through it. This makes everyone's appplication of the scales just a bit different from the next person. Two people might approach the same pattern in a totally different way, therefore making the applications constantly evolve and change.
A few things should be said to those who might be thinking of purchasing this book. First of all, if you can't read musical notation (treble and bass clef), learn that first, as you will get nothing out of this book if you can't. Also, if you are thinking this book will provide a "quick fix" for your playing, or make you sound like Coltrane, don't bother buying this book either. One should also be well aquainted with both classical and jazz harmony before working through this book (for those interested in jazz theory, a good place to start is "The Jazz Theory Book" by Mark Levine).
Besides the contents of the book there are a few other nice things about it. There is an explanation of terms, which is most helpful as the musician learns Slonimsky's terminology. It is also extremely well organized which lends itself well to an individual curriculum.
For the musicians that are ready, and are motivated enough to put in the required time and effort, it will be well worth it, and the musical rewards will compensate the price of buying the book many times over. Slonimsky states in the Introduction, "There are 479,001,600 possible combinations of the 12 tones of the chromatic scale. With rhythmic variety added to the unbounded universe of melodic patterns, there is no likelihood that new music will die of interval starvation in the next 1000 years." Good news for musicians and audiences, eh?
Also recommended: For a book in a similar vein, check out Wayne Krantz's "An Improviser's OS," available through his website.
A phenomenal resource! .......2006-07-01
This book is terrific on several levels. One, it contains many useful patterns that one may incorporate into solos, especially if you're a jazz musician. There is also a section on scales, which is helpful. The patterns force you to figure out fingerings that you probably haven't used before. All in all, the material in this book helped me to think differently about construction of solos, etc.
One criticism, relatively minor: it would have been better with the "comb" type of binder so the pages lay flat against the music stand. If you're a "two-hander," get a nice heavy weight or two to keep the pages open.
Buy this book!
Excellent resource for intermediate to advanced players........2005-09-21
Great book to extend your abilities and generate new ideas.
Book Description
Twenty to thirty million Americans suffer from some form of diagnosable depression, and their ranks are growing. Psychologist Michael D. Yapko explains that in order to find relief, more than the current episode of depression must be examined. In Breaking the Patterns of Depression, he presents skills that enable readers to understand and ultimately avert depression's recurring cycles. Focusing on future prevention as well as initial treatment, the book includes over one hundred structured activities to help sufferers learn the skills necessary to become and remain depression-free.
Breaking the Patterns of Depression begins by translating the clinical literature on psychotherapy and antidepressant medication into language that can be used to enhance an understanding of depression, and to personalize individual cures. Yapko uses a conversational, anecdotal tone that encourages readers to take an active approach to helping themselves. Special sections entitled "Learn by Doing" and "Shifting Perspectives" help develop the skills necessary to manage difficult experiences. Readers learn how to solve problems effectively, anticipate the likely consequences of their actions, think and act in a direct, goal-oriented fashion, balance different areas of their lives, and use self-knowledge to stay out of harmful situations.
More realistic and helpful than other depression-management books on the market, Breaking the Patterns of Depression defines what causes depression and, best of all, clarifies what can be done about it. With this knowledge in hand, readers can control their depression, rather than having depression control them.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent self-help book.......2006-11-05
My wife gives copies of this book to many of her psychotherapy clients. She regards it as an excellent aid to overcoming depression.
Excellent service.......2005-09-27
I needed to reference this book for a counseling situation and it came right on time and in great condition. Thanks
Not for sufferers of clinical depression.......2005-08-31
This book was recommended to me by a mental health professional. I struggled to get through nearly 300 pages of this drivel before writing this review. This book takes everything that depressive patients have been told and tosses it out the window. Patients suffering serious depressive episodes will likely be offended by the simplistic attitudes taken by the author. It's premise seems to be that depression can be cured by sheer force of will - get up, go out, see people, exercise, blah blah blah. "Optimism is a choice", "Where there's a will, there's a way" and other such empty platitudes fill this book. People in the grips of serious depression know that no amount of will can get them out of bed on some days, and that leaving the house at all can seem like a major achievement. What is most irritating about this book is that the author vacillates between conflicting opinions, advocating one side of an argument and then equally advocating the other - sometimes within a single paragraph. It's hard to decipher what this author is trying to convey, except for the general notion that all depression can be controlled simply by the power of positive thinking on the part of the afflicted. Tom Cruise told me that a few weeks ago for free - and he's not a Ph.D. Don't waste your time on this one.
This review explains the need for magnesium.......2005-07-05
While this book may help some people, an even better book is Dr. Carolyn Dean's book The Miracle of Magnesium. Here is a quote from Dr. Dean's book regarding magnesium in the treatment of depression: "With proper amounts of magnesium, nature makes sufficient serotonin and you experience emotional balance. But when stress depletes magnesium, a vicious cycle spins out of control and depression can occur. The body needs magnesium in order to release and bind adequate amounts of serotonin in the brain. The pharmaceutical industry has focused its research for the treatment of depression on serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac to capitalize on serotonin's chemical effects instead of giving serotonin what it really needs -- magnesium...Magnesium deficiency is a potential cause for every type of depression. All treatment protocols should begin with adequate doses of this valuable mineral." If you are suffering from depression, I beg you to acquire and read Dr. Dean's book and take supplemental magnesium daily as Dr. Dean recommends. You may find that this important nutrient is the solution you have been seeking.
Nature vs. Nurture.......2005-06-12
Yapko is a practitioner of what the contemporary theorists refer to as "poststructuralist thinking." His title says it all: "Patterns" are interpretations, or constructions, of reality. For a depressive to change her reality, all she has to do is substitute new interpretations and constructions for her old, counter-productive readings of experience.
Although Yapko tries to provide some balance, he essentially opposes biological, genetic, psychoanalytic, and even behaviorist approaches to depression. Negative thinking isn't in your genes, your psyche, or the "external" world (though the environment influences its increasing hold on individuals): it's in you. Consequently, Yapko reasons, you can control it if you follow his advice: stop thinking about yourself (self-consciousness leads to paralysis); avoid "global" thought (produces despair) in favor of concrete, practical thinking; forget about the past and direct your attentions to the individual's capacity to create the future.
Yapko's advice, directives, and exercises will no doubt appeal to some readers more than others. For those who suffer from occasional "down" time, or smoldering but mild "dysthymia," the book could prove inspiriting if not inspiring. Other readers will no doubt have a "that's easy for you to say" kind of reaction to this book. Too frequently it can take on the reductive tone of a parent who, in denial of a child's depression, exclaims: "Stop being depressed. It's not good for you."
Book Description
Walk through the tightly packed, hierarchically flattened corridors of America's businesses and what do you hear? Not the sounds of harmony. Instead, you'll probably hear the grumbles of irritation as people with wholly different ways of working, talking, and thinking have been tossed together side by side, cubicle by cubicle. It's the teeth-gritting sound of generations in collision.
Charlie, for example, is 61 and desperate for some clear, straightforward guidance from his 43-year-old boss Mary, who, in turn, is using her trademark heartfelt, buzzword-laden management style in an attempt to radically alter Charlie's work processes. Jane, meanwhile, the 29-year-old technical wizard of the team, sits sullenly in her cubicle, unimpressed with either of them, and they with her.
None of them understands the other. None of them knows how to communicate with the other. And it's causing headaches and havoc for managers trying to mold this hodgepodge of ages, faces, values, and views into a productive, collaborative group.
Now, with GENERATIONS AT WORK, there's clear, concrete help. Written by a team of distinguished cross-generational authors, this groundbreaking book supplies fresh, provocative insights and practical solutions for understanding differences, resolving conflicts, and managing effectively in today's age-diverse workplace. Both sweeping in scope and highly specific, the book gives you:
* Astute profiles of four distinct generations: Learn about the Veterans (b. 1922-1943), Baby Boomers (b. 1943-1960), Gen Xers (b.1960-1980), and the Nexters (b.1980-), including their demographics, the events that shaped their lives and times, predominant traits, work styles, and key messages to keep in mind when recruiting, developing, and motivating these members of your workforce. * Illuminating case studies in generational peace: Go behind the scenes of five major companies that treat generational mixing as an asset. * A powerful practice exercise: Solve the plight of Charlie Roth, a fictionalized manager facing a cross-generational crisis--then read how 7 outside experts tackled the problem. * Hardhitting answers to the 21 most frequently asked questions about managing in a multigenerational workplace--plus much more!
For anyone struggling to manage people who just don't see work (or life) the same way, GENERATIONS AT WORK helps you understand the gulf that separates the generations--and offers practical guidelines for building a harmonious workforce where people rally together for the organization, not against each other.
Download Description
Supplies fresh, provocative insights and practical solutions for understanding differences, resolving conflicts, and managing effectively in today's age-diverse workplace. Profiles four distinct generations and their prominent traits and work styles, and offers key messages to keep in mind when recruiting, developing, and motivating members of each generation. Includes real-life case studies of five companies working in intergenerational harmony.
Customer Reviews:
Owners Manual For Managing the Muti-generational Workplace.......2006-08-04
The Year 2006 represents a unique place in time in the history of our workplaces in the United States. We now have four different generations in the same workplace and that has presented many challenges to business owners and managers. This book could be called an "Owner's Manual" in the sense that it provides some practical advice on how to deal with this age-diverse workforce. If you are looking for some help to "muffle" the loud sounds of colliding generations, or to bring those loud sounds into harmony, then this is a book for you. The book is a must read for business owners and managers to help understand the differences in the workforce; how to resolve conflicts and how to fully utilitze the diversity of ages to achieve success in business.
Reviewed by: J. Glenn Ebersole, Jr., Founder & Chief Executive, J. G. EBERSOLE ASSOCIATES and THE RENAISSANCE GROUP (tm), Lancaster, PA. and Author of "Glenn's Guiding Lines - Thoughts From Your Strategic Thinking Coach" newsletter www.renaissanceman4u.com
For managers, with a grain of salt, please.......2006-03-04
Never before has there been such diversity in the workforce. This is particularly true of the range of ages that co-exist on the job. In Generations At Work, the authors identify the four generations, the particular problems you may encounter managing them, and potential solutions. As the employee pool matures, this is knowledge every manager of a cross-generational workforce will need. These categories are, of course, cut rather broad. This book is probably better used as an idea toolbox than gospel writ.
The Generations:
1. Veterans (1922-1943): The World War II generation's dedication to the values of civic pride, loyalty and respect for authority have become a continuing influence in the following generations.
· Veterans tend to be more directive in leadership roles.
· Veterans are used to working in teams under strong leadership.
· Veterans can be prone to the "we've never done it that way before" mentality.
· Veterans often find technology intimidating and confusing.
2. Boomers (1943-1960): This generation tends to be idealistic and driven.
· Find out how they want to be managed.
· Expect a reaction if things don't go well.
· Motivate them with lots of public recognition, and involvement in decision-making.
· When mentoring them be tactful, let them tell you how they're doing, and think of yourself as a friendly equal.
3. Xers (1960-1980): The Xers are deeply cynical about management and the driven attitudes of the Veterans and Boomers. It is, however, possible to motivate Xers.
· Make your work environment as flexible as possible.
· Provide them with up-to-date technology.
· Give them lots of simultaneous projects and let them prioritize.
· Give them constructive feedback on their job performance.
4. Nexters (1980-2000): The most studied generation in history, Nexters are likely to be more like the veterans than any other group. When recruiting Nexters, keep the following principles in mind:
· Forget gender roles.
· Focus on teams.
· Mind the gap: there is likely to be a large generational gap between the Xers and the Nexters.
· Grow your training department.
· Establish mentor programs.
Very good read.......2006-02-27
I liked this book since it gave me an insight into the different components of each generation and how to deal with them at work as well as in general. I manage early boomers to nexters and am a Gen Xer and this book will help a great deal with that challenging task.
Real Generations.......2005-08-23
I enjoyed this book, even though I orignially got it for a class of mine on diversity. It is a great book, but as a Nexter I wish it was a little more updated on things about my generation, but it is understandable. I found that the generational stereotypes are very much in tune with my personal experiences.
You can fool some of the people, all of the time........2005-01-25
Have you ever read a "study" that contains tiny bits of truth (usually things that are obvious) but the rest is false? That's the case with Generations At Work.
If you remove the stereotypes all that remains is stuff that ought to be obvious. It may be that some CEOs with large numbers of disgruntled employees are unaware of even the most blantant trends and conflicts in the workplace but the lesson there is to fix the workplace, not the employees. All generations will be cynical if they are contstantly in danger of being laid off.
From my own experience, 3 examples that are completely the opposite of what this book describes. (1) People in my age group are supposed to be driven overachievers. How I wish that were true. Must have come from astrology or something. (2) I worked for a company that hired two young "golden collar" tech experts. These kids were outstanding. There were no personality conflicts. There were no generational conflicts. And the fact that they were so knowlegable made us worship them! So what if they preferred rock climbing to golf? (3) Speaking of stereotypes, the company shut down and we all got laid off. According to this book, young IT professionals can write their own ticket, right? False, again. Four months have passed and one of our young geniuses has a boring job with a long commute and big pay cut. The other has refused to take a crummy job and remains unemployed.
The book is not without humor, perhaps unintentional. Apparently Lucent is a good example of how waring generations can make peace. But I wonder how many managers want their company to perform as Lucent has.
In the end, the key to a productive harmonious workplace is for people to have jobs they enjoy, pay well and are reasonably secure. In a lesser work environment all managers can hope for is to tap into the stereotypes in this book to try to keep the dust down.
Book Description
In Productive Workplaces Revisited, Marvin Weisbord takes the next step in exploring effective strategies for improving workplace productivity through dignity, meaning, and community. Remarkably, in this new edition the author revisits the case studies from the first edition, Productive Workplaces, to show the long-term effects of OD interventions -- twenty-plus years after the fact and provides invaluable insights for practitioner and student alike. In five new chapters, Weisbord reinterprets his systems work in health care and steel-making, describes how “future search,” his method for “getting everybody improving whole systems,” has crossed cultures on five continents, and summarizes his learning from following up cases decades later. This edition also presents in-depth case studies of organizations that have used these techniques to increase output, cut costs, create strategic plans, manage conflict between functions, and more.
Download Description
In Productive Workplaces Revisited, Marvin Weisbord takes the next step in exploring effective strategies for improving workplace productivity through dignity, meaning, and community. Remarkably, in this new edition the author revisits the case studies from the first edition, Productive Workplaces, to show the long-term effects of OD interventions -- twenty-plus years after the fact and provides invaluable insights for practitioner and student alike. In five new chapters, Weisbord reinterprets his systems work in health care and steel-making, describes how “future search,” his method for “getting everybody improving whole systems,” has crossed cultures on five continents, and summarizes his learning from following up cases decades later. This edition also presents in-depth case studies of organizations that have used these techniques to increase output, cut costs, create strategic plans, manage conflict between functions, and more.
Customer Reviews:
OD Companion.......2007-10-03
This is an enlightening and well written book on the evolution and development of organisational development. The book is concise with minimal unnecessary fluff. The author presents a compelling case for improving workplace productivity through dignity, meaning and community. From reading this high quality book, managers should be able to work collaboratively with employees to make the workplace interesting, humane and productive.
This is a fantastic book which is recommended reading for those with an interest in the practical application of organizational development techniques and approaches. It has loads of accessible, relevant and important information that makes it indispensable for those involved in change management and human resources management. It is also necessary reading at the best MBA programs
Great.......2007-01-16
I received my book in a timely fashion, so I'm very pleased with my purchase.
Not Relevant.......2007-01-06
I only read the first 9 chapters. The first one was good. The second 8 were not - a relatively boring version of the history of management. Try reading other sections of the book if you want to get something out of it.
Best in it's class.......2006-08-02
This is my all-time favorite book on the history and philosophy of Organization Development. I recommend it to every person who comes to me for an informational interview and it's required reading for all staff and interns at our consulting firm, Community At Work.
Productive Workplaces Revisited.......2005-11-20
This was one of the first books I've read on Organization Development. After reading a multitude of OD books since it is still the only one that I enjoyed and found useful information in an easy to use format from cover to cover. I still reference it today.
Book Description
This wide-ranging volume brings together the commissioned papers that are the basis of James O'Toole and Edward E. Lawler's The New American Workplace, their follow-up to the groundbreaking 1973 Work in America report. Here leading scholars in the fields of business, management, and human resources offer new research and insightful analyses of existing studies, providing a definitive assessment of the state of the workplace today. Covering wage trends, worker health, education and the workforce, the effects of outsourcing, careers, human resources management, and a variety of other vital issues, this illuminating collection will prove indispensable for scholars, professionals, and policymakers.
Average customer rating:
- A great book on Casting
- Great book for beginners
- solid.
- Metalcasting
- Metalcasting
|
Metalcasting
C. W. Ammen
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Professional
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Metal Work
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Manufacturing
| Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Metallurgy
| Materials
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Metallurgy
| Materials Science
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
All Amazon Upgrade
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Arts & Photography
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Engineering
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Home & Garden
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Professional & Technical
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Science
| Amazon Upgrade
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Complete Handbook of Sand Casting
-
How to Cast Small Metal and Rubber Parts (2nd Edition)
-
Gas Burners for Forges, Furnaces, and Kilns
-
Building a Gas Fired Crucible Furnace
-
The Backyard Foundry (Workshop Practice Series, No. 25)
ASIN: 007134246X |
Book Description
A-to-Z guide to low-volume metalcasting There's plenty of demand for one-shot or low production metalcasting job work, but the work often goes begging for lack of anyone to do it. Interested? Metalcasting by C.W. Ammen is packed with step-by-step guidelines for getting started and working effectively and efficiently in this time-honored craft. You get hands-on advice and cost-cutting tips, plus sound ideas for safety and productivity. In easy-to-understand language, this guide shows you how to use metalcrafting's tools and processes, casting and mold making...molding sands...molding equipment....metal melting, handling, and pouring devices...alloys...and more, including: *Patination of cast metals *Working with chemically-bonded molds *Newest molding, casting, and pattern-making techniques A Frequently Asked Questions section anticipates and responds to typical beginner's queries about applications and repair techniques and other metalcasting issues.
Customer Reviews:
A great book on Casting.......2006-11-10
I have been casting for a few years at this point but C.W. Ammen is the best authority on the subject.
I re-learned a few things as I read this book. Anyone who does metal casting SHOULD own this book.
Remember always be safe.
Great book for beginners.......2006-01-30
This book is great for newbies to Metal casting, it provides great details in creating molds, furnaces, and the do's and don'ts.
It gives several different types of molds from sand molds to plaster molds, and gives the advantages and disavantages of both. It explains the various types of furnaces from coke, propane, to waste oil. Finally it gives in perfect detail the causes for various abnormalties in your caste. . .
Great book to get started with. .
solid........2005-09-13
This text is great for the sand molder. There is a depth of knowledge that few others can illustrate in a clear manner. Also notable is the glossary of casting terms that takes up the last half of the book with drawings and clear language. I would recommend that every beginning metal caster buy this item, and every experienced caster peek at it when nobody is looking. Thumbs Up!
His book Cast Iron is the bible for ferrous metals.
Metalcasting.......2002-11-10
This is a big thick paperback book, that you might think goes into great detail and has a lot of descriptions. Unfortunatly, there is just some background and and brief descriptions of different things. Also, almost half the book is devoted to a glossary. If you want to find out about sand casting, "The complete Sand Casting Manual" also written by him though still not complete, is the book for you.
Metalcasting.......2000-02-20
If you do not have any other books by the author, C. W. Ammen, then this is a good book. However, if you already have "The Metalcaster's Bible" or "Complete Handbook of Sandcasting" then you already have 90% of this book.
Most of the illustrations and definitions are right out of these other two books. I was dissappointed with this book because I already had the other two books and bought this book for the new information it contained. There's a picture of a permanent mold being poured on the cover with no further explanation in the book about it. Just a short definition. I had bought this book because I thought it dealt with this process in depth. It does not. The cover is misleading.
There is however, a good section on building your own burn out oven for investment casting which is not in any of his other books.
As in his other books, some of the definitions are somewhat sketchy. He refers to "sharp sand" throughout the book with no definition of what it is. He tells of a Nitric Acid test for silicon where you let the mixture boil. Does this mean dissolving the metal (bubbling) or actually boiling the acid over a stove. If you try the latter, it could have severe consequences.
If I saw this book in a bookstore and had a chance to glance through the pages, I would not have bought it as it's almost a direct copy of his other books. If I did not have his other books, I would buy "The complete Handbook of Sand Casting" or the "Metal Caster's Bible" as they contain the same information and illustrations and are half the price.
Books:
- Crafting and Executing Strategy : The Quest for Competitive Advantage - Concepts and Cases (Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases)
- Crash Proof: How to Profit From the Coming Economic Collapse (Lynn Sonberg Books)
- Creating Shareholder Value: A Guide for Managers and Investors
- Damodaran on Valuation: Security Analysis for Investment and Corporate Finance (Wiley Finance)
- Deal Terms - The Finer Points of Venture Capital Deal Structures, Valuations, Term Sheets, Stock Options and Getting VC Deals Done (Inside the Minds)
- e-Business & e-Commerce for Managers
- E-Commerce: Business, Technology, Society (3rd Edition)
- Economics of Money, Banking, and Financial Markets, Update (7th Edition) (Addison-Wesley Series in Economics)
- Effort-Less Marketing for Financial Advisors
- Electronic Commerce 2004: A Managerial Perspective, Third Edition
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Scalpel and the Silver Bear: The First Navajo Woman Surgeon Combines Western Medicine and Tradit
- How to Spot a Dangerous Man Before You Get Involved: Describes 8 Types of Dangerous Men, Gives Defen
- Basic Microbiology Techniques
- Body Mass Index: New Research
- Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods
- Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Health Promotion Programs: A Primer
- Kiss Me, Judas: A Novel
- Windows on the Past: Four Centuries of New England Homes
- Chartres Cathedral: Illustrations, Introductory Essay, Documents, Analysis, Criticism
- Diaporthales in North America With Emphasis on Gnomonia & Its Segrates
Why Employees Don't Do What They're Supposed To Do and What To Do About It
13 fatal errors managers make and how you can avoid them
Leadership and the One Minute Manager: Increasing Effectiveness Through Situational Leadership
Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results
Crucial Confrontations
