Book Description

Hire and Keep the Best People contains a series of 21 proven, practical principles and strategies that any manager can use to hire and keep better employees. The contents are the distilled essence of hundreds of books and articles on the subject of personnel selection, combined with the author's many years of experience as an executive interviewing and hiring staff, as well as his more than 20 years of training managers in the art of personnel selection. ... Read more

Book Description

It doesn't matter if you have $10, $10,000 or $1,000,000 to invest--Eric Tyson's Investing for Dummies shows you how to maximize your investment. This down-to-earth reference cuts through the jargon and provides you with the tips, techniques and strategies you need to make sound investment decisions.

Starting with the fundamentals, financial whiz Eric Tyson guides you through the ins and outs of investing in the stock market, real estate, small business, and more. With easy-to-understand explanations, helpful advice, and a lot of humor, this tape with quickly become your trusted investment counselor. On this tape, discover how to:

• Understand the risks and returns involved in different types of investment

• Invest in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds with confidence

• Purchase and invest in real estate with success

•Start or buy your own small business

Read by the author.

Dummies Guide audiobooks are also available for Classical Music, Fitness, Golf, Personal Finance, Parenting, Golf, PCs, Selling, Internet, Time Management, Job Searching, Opera, Dating, Investing, Home Buying, Negotiating, Sales Closing, Public Speaking, Alternative Medicine, Sex and Wine.

Reviews (51)

Helps you build a solid foundation for further reading
I have been investing in stocks, mutuals funds and real estate for about 8 years without ever reading a book on the topic. I bought this book to learn the nuts and bolts of investing. Despite the fact that I am not a beginner I still found the book informative. For example, Tyson says when a stock plummets don't bale out, buy some more at the lower price. I baled out of amazon.com at $11 and of course I deeply regret it now. I have since learned to hold during the bad times and now I am in profit territory with all of my stocks. He suggests that college savings accounts, such as 529 plans, may be a bad idea because it could hurt your child's chances of getting financial aid. He explains how bonds can go down in value and says instead of buying individual bonds it is better to buy bond mutual funds. I had been wary of bonds before reading this book, now I am thinking about buying a bond fund in the interests of diversification.

I didn't agree with Tyson on everything. He is more conservative than I am. I am only in my early 30s, so I believe I am young enough to take some financial risks. Also, he believes that it is a bad idea to pick your own stocks. Yet he also says that if you buy good companies and hold for several years you will always come out ahead as long as you have a diversified portfolio. I see no reason to pay a financial planner (who may put his/her own interests ahead of mine) to do this for me.

One thing I really like about the book is that he doesn't just focus on financial instruments. He also discusses investing in both real estate and small businesses. I will be buying a franchise within the next year and I found this information very helpful. Of course, I will need to do further reading on this topic.

This is an excellent book that I had a hard time putting down. If you want to learn more about investing I suggest that you start with this book. It will provide a solid foundation, and help you move onto more complicated financial books and magazines.

Very good book.
Eric Tyson's Investing for Dummies in broad in scope, but still written in plain english. Even the most naive to investing can understand and apply what he writes.I also recommend Personal Finance for Dummies and Mutual Funds For Dummies.You will find these books more informative than Jane Bryant Quinn's books. What is the love affair with her anyway? I made the mistake of buying How To Make the Most of Your Money and found it to be a complete waste. Couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Read and apply Eric Tyson's great work. You'll be glad you did.

Practical Introduction for Beginners
Considering that I know hardly anything about investing in stocks, real estate, etc., this book was a very good one because it introduced me to the basics. It starts with each topic on "level one" and gradually leads you to the level where you understand the topic but do not have useless information. It discusses stocks and bonds, real estate, portfolio buiding, and even the interesting psychological obstacles in investing. I thought an interesting idea was that to succeed long term in mutual fund investing, your portfolio must be diversified and well-researched. This book also discusses the pros and cons of having a financial advisor, and gives resources for more information. The book has cartoons, which add humor and taught me how investing would be applied to my life. The section of the book least applicable to me was about running and buying business, but it was interesting nevertheless. It was a great introduction to investing and I feel much more prepared than I did before reading the book.

Buy the Third Edition instead of this OLD one
The Third Edition of this book is already out. Why would you buy the second edition if the third edition is newer?

Lacking
There are very few good nuggets of information in this one.
I listened to the entire audio version in my car on the way to work. I didn't have to stop once to jot down anything important. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A Great Book
Pat Riley has Proven how to Win on the FLoor and here he shares Team Work to the fullest.it's a very Solid Book that Allows all to shine in work together.very well put together.

Pat Riley has written an excellent business management book
When I am asked by business counterparts to describe my favorite business philosophy, I give them a copy of Mr. Riley's book. When applied to Sports, it obviously works. When applied to business, it profoundly works. We live in a day and age when the word "I" is used to exhaustion. This book allows one to feel honor in teamwork -- in promoting and supporting the efforts of the entire business group, and shows us how personally rewarding the dynamics of being on a great business team can be. Excellent!

A Very Wise Man
You go Pat!!!! Testify!!! This man speaks the truth, ya dig? True like buttah in yo popcorn and just as salty. Diggety bing!

Success and leadership
This book is a book about teamwork and reaching your full potential as a person. Pat Riley discusses what it takes to make dreams come true. This book is great for anyone who wants to be successful with their life dreams.

An MBA For The Rest Of Us :-)
When you see Coach Riley on the sidelines, the perception is one of a model straight from the pages of GQ. His suits are always custom-tailored, and his hair is slicked back. But when you read his words, you will discover another dimension that perhaps is not congruent with his tough-guy media image.

Mr. Riley demonstrates a high degree of common sense both on and off the basketball court. You will feel the toughness of his spirit, but also the kindness in his approach. This book is a great resource, since it demonstrates how to lead and how to follow to ensure maximum success.

His lessons from the hardwoods can be applied to any business or team-oriented situation. He describes in great detail his approaches with both the Lakers and NY Knicks. He discusses in very frank terms his own failures as a coach, but more importantly, presents the reader with examples how to reach our own peak performance levels.

His motivational techniques were very informative. He takes us inside of intimate situations that forged his winning ways. From tense playoff day game meetings, to providing custom towels for his players, Coach Riley spares no detail to win. The reader will realize that Mr. Riley learned from the best, and was able to succeed at the highest levels of his sport. He shows us that being a team player starts at the top, and that leaders need to set the proper example.

He also includes several non-basketball related events that provide added motivational value. The story about Jan Scruggs, the force behind the Viet Nam War Memorial, is compelling. This book is not about basketball; it is about finding the winner within each of us as we navigate challenging life events.

Out of his many enlightening quotes, two stand out: "You can respect your opponent too much." "Don't compare your performance versus other teammates; compare it against others in similar roles on other teams."

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. ... Read more

Book Description

• Had you invested $10,000 in Cisco Systems back in early 1990, your investment would now be worth $3,650,000

• Similarly, a $10,000 investment made in Microsoft in 1986 would be valued at more than $4,721,000 today

• $10,000 invested in Yahoo! in 1996 would today be worth $317,000

How do you get in on those deals--especially if you're not a Silicon Valley insider? How do you buy the high-tech win-ners and avoid the losers? How do you find the Yahoo!s, Microsofts, and Ciscos of tomorrow?

The answers are here, in this newly revised edition of the national bestseller The Gorilla Game. The book reveals the dynamics driving the market for high-tech stocks and out-lines the forces that catapult a select number of compa-nies to "gorilla" status--dominating the markets they serve in the way that Yahoo! dominates internet portals, Microsoft dominates software operating systems, and Cisco dominates hardware for data networks.

Follow the rules of The Gorilla Game and you will learn how to identify and invest in the "gorilla candidates" early on--while they are still fighting for dominance, and while their stocks are still cheap. When the dust clears and one company clearly attains leadership in its market, you'll reap the enormous returns that foresighted investors in high-tech companies deserve.

This new edition of The Gorilla Game has been updated and revised throughout, with new focus and new insights into choosing the internet gorillas--the companies that are destined to dominate internet commerce.

Bestselling author Geoffrey A. Moore is one of the world's leading consultants in high-tech marketing strategy. Here you'll find his groundbreaking ideas about tech-nology markets that made his previous books bestsellers, combined with the work of Paul Johnson, a top Wall Street technology analyst, and Tom Kippola, a high-tech consul-tant and highly successful private investor. Together they have discovered and played the gorilla game and now give readers the real rules for winning in the world of high-tech investing.

Step by step you'll learn how to spot a high-tech market that is about to undergo rapid growth and development, how to identify and spread investments across the potential gorillas within the market, and how to narrow your investments to the single, emerging leader--the gorilla--as the market matures.

High-tech investing can be extremely risky, but investors who learn to play the gorilla game can avoid many of the traps and pitfalls and instead start capitalizing on untold profits. Personal wealth is only a gorilla game away.

Reviews (34)

A "must read" for investors in high-tech
High-tech professionals and amateur investors dream of catching the next hot stock before it takes off. Geoffrey Moore's latest book The Gorilla Game outlines a strategy for identifying and investing in high-tech companies. Geoffrey Moore's previous works Crossing The Chasm and Inside The Tornado serve as the foundation for the investment strategy presented. Individuals familiar with the author will find The Gorilla Game valuable as it applies Moore's ideas on product marketing to well known companies within the high-tech sector. One of the most interesting sections of the book is the three case studies which serve as examples of past Gorilla games and involve companies that most readers will be familiar with. The Gorilla Game is highly recommended for any reader with an interest in high tech industries regardless of their investment background.

Need more tech than investment savvy
This book came to me highly recommended by a friend and I read it in no time at all, very well presented and very readable. The only thing is to get the most out of it you need to have a lot of tech knowledge. I work for an e-business consultancy and I found the idea of picking the basket of stocks in a potential Gorilla industry a bit of an intimidating task. However, it does point out you can make a lot of cash from investing later in the game as it becomes more obvious who the key player is, this is probably a better approach than the one they advocate for most people.

Great insight even for the non-investor
Great insight into what makes a Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, or other high-tech monster. Very instructive for spotting trends even if you are not into investing.

Sadly funny (in hindsight) closing remarks, however, when mentioning criteria for the gorilla-game theory to work: "...you need equity markets which have... high legal integrity... in the realms of ethics and legal integrity, US markets lead the world in policing their own ranks...". In light of the many recent financial scandals I'm sure the authors will rephrase this in the next edition.

Oops
The high-tech stock collapse has led to a lot of agonized soul searching from burned investors in the past year. How in the world did all those dot-com pet stores get funded? How did Cisco ever get a $500 billion dollar market cap, and how did so many other companies get valued at tens of billions of dollars with no profits and little sales?

Well, one problem was that too many people read this book.

Don't get me wrong--Geoffrey Moore is definitely a heavyweight business thinker. His earlier books were tremendously helpful in explaining the strange, non-intuitive ways in which high-tech markets work. But here, he and his coauthors attempt to build on his earlier work to offer a "gorilla investment strategy", which has now become a victim of its own popularity. *Any* mechanical investment scheme will eventually fail if it becomes too widely used, and it is easy to find the roots of the investment idiocies of the late nineties in this book. Just look for emerging high-tech market leaders, he says over and over, with little attention paid to just how much this eventual market dominance might be worth. Worse, he asserts that you can't know which company will emerge as the dominant player in a given sector, so invest in them all. Venture capitalists, once they realized how many investors were following this strategy, responded by cranking out unlimited numbers of startups doing exactly the same thing; as long as they were competing in a market that might eventually select a "gorilla", then they could be confident of "flipping" a successful IPO to naive investors. Anyone who used this book as a basis for investing over the past couple of years would have, in effect, been getting suckered into a Ponzi scheme.

Moore creates a vivid symbolic menagerie to explain the dynamics of high-tech marketing, but any high-tech investor needs to know that in addition to the authors' gorillas, chimpanzees and monkeys there are a lot of dogs. Also sharks.

Very useful to the average guy but little on valuation
Having worked on Wall Street in research I can say that this book is a must read for technology investors. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and I believe that, in a very simple manner, the authors lay out the evolution of technology giants within different sectors. They help you identify the next "800 Lb. Gorilla," which may generate substantial returns for investors.

If there is any weakness it is that very little is provided in terms of how do you value these companies. Most past "gorillas" came public with very modest valuations but in today's markets many companies are coming out at higher valuations, providing less upside in the long-term. The reason is that many investors are more astute than in the past and are seeking to find these "gorillas." Therefore, the problem that lies before the investor is how to find the gorilla before the pros do. Too many pros and individuals tried to find them in the past 2 years and only got burned (they were all greedy going after the hopes of generating such returns and the possibility that one would be the "800 lb gorilla.")

If you want to learn about technology life cycles, product differentiation and what to look for in the next decade's giants I recommend this book but recognize that it provides little in terms of valuation exercises. ... Read more

Book Description

“Dell, the company, seems to have been born and evolved with an anticipation of the Internet age. Michael Dell walks us through how he turned his prescience into a powerful reality-and an outstanding example of the companies of the future.”

- Andrew S. Grove, Chairman of Intel

Dell Computer Corporation is an $18 billion company and the second largest manufacturer and marketer of personal computers in the world. Founded on a deceptively simple premise - to deliver high-performance computer systems directly to the end user - Dell Computer is the envy of its competition, consistently growing at five times the industry rate, and a perennial darling of Wall Street.

In Direct from Dell, Michael Dell himself tells the incredible story of Dell Computer's successful rise, which began in his college dorm room with $1,000 in capital. You'll encounter a young visionary who, upon witnessing the inefficiencies of an exploding industry, challenged conventional wisdom, and set out to do nothing less than beat IBM at its own game. In so doing, Dell forever changed the way things “had always been done” in the computer industry.

Not just for CEOs or those in high tech, the strategies revealed in Direct from Dell are invaluable to managers across industries. From starting a successful business to his pioneering use of the Internet, Dell shares his perspectives on:

• Why it's infinitely better for any business starting out to have too little capital, rather than too much
• Why it can be life-threatening to your company to pursue too many good ideas'or to grow too fast
• Why it's essential to run a P&L on every area of your business
• Why your people pose a greater threat to the health of your business than your competition does
• How integrating your business virtually can make the difference between being quick'and being dead

Revealing nothing less than a new model for doing business in the information age, Direct from Dell is both an extraordinary business success story and a manifesto for revolutionizing any industry. ... Read more

Reviews (110)

Great read for Business & Economics Studnets
I can understand the criticism of this book that perhaps Mike Dell should have gone more in depth about the dynamics of his company and industry. However, this being his first book that I know of I can understand why he choose to keep it short and simple, and to his credit.

A great peak into the mind of a business man and leader who in my opinion deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence with Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Lee Iacocca et al.

One part in particular that caught my attention was Chapter 7 where on page 95&96 he talks about his "Know The Net" initiative in order to familiarize his employees with the Internet.

I personally liked when he stated that: "Some might argue that if you give employees access to the World Wide Web, they will spend all their time surfing the Net. But that's like saying, We don't want to teach our people how to read because they might spend all their time reading."

Fabulous insight into Michael Dell's view of the Internet's future as a conduit for Economic Efficiency in business, school, and life.

Great piece of literature especially for beginning Business& Economics students. Peace :-)

"Stalled Thinking" has not been a problem at Dell!
Given Dell's track record, success and innovation, this is a book that should be read by all business executives. It should also be read by all students to provide encouragement for trying the things one wants to do and is passionate about. As a strategy book, it is well written. I was hoping to learn more of the Dell secrets, the "how tos" behind this very successful approach. I also believe the market has over reacted to Dell's recent announcement of slower (38%) earnings growth. That is still superb performance and Dell is likely to outperform and continue to meet customers' need for many years. The usual problems that stall companies: The Communications Stall, The Bureaucratic Stall, The Disbelief Stall (we can't do that here), The Misconception Stall (it's too hard to do and won't work becuase), The Unattractiveness Stall, The Procrastination Stall and The Tradition Stall (this is how we have always done it) seem not to be strong issues at Dell because the company continues to ask the right questions. This is the key to progress at a much faster rate, and/or at a much lower cost. The focus on customers and selling direct helps to make this possible. Dell can continue to do many things right in the future. It will be fun to watch them. They are poised to be a prototype company of the future.

FAST-PACED AND INSIGHTFUL SKIM, BUT HINTS OF NARCISSISM
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a manager, a marketer, or a passionate loyalist of the compelling and always competitive offerings from the star PC firm, this semi-memoir will let you in on the madly tight ship that's known as Dell.

It's a fairly compact fluently-written book that distills Dell's lessons for business (p.s. it's NOT a biography of Michael Dell) that lends itself to some pacy in-flight reading.

But thinking back, I have a couple of gripes.

In recounting the company's meteoric rise from a college dorm to the multi-million dollar company in a short couple of decades, the book advocates a fanatical belief in the power of the Internet and how it is vital to every business's survival. If you don't provide access from every one of your users' desktops, you'll be gone. I find this a bit hard to digest as a categorical generalization, and I am a net evangelist myself. But I would not have expected anything different from Dell.

Secondly, the tone of the author(s?) occasionally takes on a doting note, and they seem to imply that Dell veritably invented the direct selling approach. This is patently misguided. A corollary that stems from this is the novel way that Dell came up with to segment customers. Somewhat cloying, this self-absorption.

Yet, in terms of good business insights, it's a fascinating read good enough to be devoured in a day or two. Recommended, especially as a business gift.

Very inspirational
As a young entrepreneur it helped me to believe that one can achieve their goals by having a plan and a burning desire to succeed.

Great story with practical advice!
The story of Dell Computers is an enjoyable story of how an entrepreneurial young Michael Dell couldn't contain his enthusiasm for his business idea and took it all the way. Without much to guide him beyond his instincts he made some mistakes, but he admits to these and describes them so readers can learn from them as he did. Of course, far more can be learned from what he did right. One of the more noteworthy approaches he mentions is that Dell rewards success by *reducing* the responsibilities of the successful manager- an act many use as a negative disciplinary measure in other companies. The reasoning is that after a division grows from a $10 million market to $200 million, by cutting it back to $25 million, it will be easier for the manager to focus on this smaller block, understand it better, and again grow it to $200 million or more. ... Read more

Book Description

The classic bestseller by Benjamin Graham, perhaps the greatest investment advisor of the Twentieth Century, The Intelligent Investor has taught and inspired hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Since its original publication in 1949, Benjamin Graham's book has remained the most respected guide to investing, due to his timeless philosophy of "value investing" which helps protect investors against areas of (possible) substantial error, and teaches them to develop long-term strategies with which they will be comfortable down the road.

Over the years, market developments have borne out the wisdom of Benjamin Graham's basic policies. Here he takes account of both the defensive and the enterprising investor, outlining the principles of stock selection for each, and stressing the advantages of a simple portfolio policy. This tape demonstrates that the continued success of common stocks cannot be taken for granted. Among its special features are the use of numerous comparisons of pairs of common stocks to bring out their elements of strength and weakness, and also the construction of investment portfolios designed to meet specific requirements of quality and price attractiveness.

Benjamin Graham (1894-1976), the father of value investing, was perhaps the most influential investor of all time. His books are investment classics, with The Intelligent Investor (first published in 1949) and Securities Analysis (1934) selling steadily. His life and work have been inspiration for many of today's most successful businessmen, including Warren Buffett.

Bill McGowan, a two-time Emmy award winner, has been a corespondent and anchor for several nationally syndicated television series over the past decade.

Reviews (7)

One of the best books on investing ever written
This is a must read for any person serious about investing (ie not gambling) in the stock market. The book is rather easy to read. Graham was an investor but also a teacher (at Columbia). He has a good balance between technical yet simple explanation. If you know absolutely nothing about the stock market and financials, you may still find it a bit obscure at time, but you should probably not invest directly anyway (at least not right away). For everyone else, read it.
Yes the latest edition was written in 1972. It is amusing at time to see the evolution. But actually this evolution is also part of what you learn by reading the book. You do see that some things never change (like valuing a company!), and others do change quite a bit. it gives you a nice perspective. Now the intersting part of the book is to understand the logic of Graham, less its conclusions. The conclusions date a bit. Graham used to work at a time when most corporations where industrial companies, when nowadays services are dominant for example. So take graham conclucions with a grain of salt. But do read in depth and try to understand his logic.
Value investing won't make you rich overnight. But reasonnably well done, it will avoid having you lose money, and can even open you the doors of year by year over-performance in the market. Warren Buffett and several other successfull investors have followed the approach of Graham. But as they all say, when you first read about value investing, you either understand it right away, or you never will. But trust my 15 year of investing on the stock market, you're better of understanding the value of value investing. And this book is the key to it.

Intelligent Investor
Intelligent Investor is the single greatest book ever written on investing. Look at Ben Graham's track record, all of several of his students (including Warren Buffett) have also built foutunes using his advice.

No real value here
I got this book because of a Lou Rukeyser panelist who recommended it for understanding the latest milieu in the stock market. I found this book densely written, boring and of no practical value. A one year subscription to Money magazine would be better spent if you are truly a novice and are interested in portfolio analysis.
Graham gives little insight to the market, focusing on how building your portfolio with bonds and stocks for long-term (ie. buy and hold) growth. Does anyone still believe that garbage? If they do have they held thru last debacle in the market and made money?
Perhaps Graham has great things to say, but alas, not here.

JZfrom Detroit
While Graham's text is obviously one of the most important guidebooks for investors written in this century, I have to agree with the reader from L.A. and say that it is quite a difficult read. Perhaps this is why so few people out of the masses have made a fortune in stocks. If we could all understand it, we'd all be rich.

Audio version, though dated, still useful
The audio version of this book is fairly easy to take. The two tapes (each with two sides) can comfortably be covered in a few drives back and forth to work. While I must admit that I was disappointed when, early in the first side, the speaker announced that the most recent update to the book was in the early seventies. So their references to an expensive Dow of 800 or so is almost amusing today. I found, however, that the material was quite useful sometimes because of that perspective. We are all too often reading someone's writing today about how smart they were yesterday. It is interesting sometimes to listen to what someone thought was smart yesterday and determine if that wisdom would have held up to the present day.

Tom Kelly ... Read more

Reviews (1)

brian tracy is a brilliant man
brian discusses every aspect of selling, not just closing sales. He has many examples to give and many situations. He kept me very interested in the tapes and I listened very closely. I have listened to the tapes more than 100 times and continue to listen to 30 minutes a day everyday. Just Brilliant! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

EMPOWERING
John Maxwell's daily dozen are worth learning.

So what are the daily dozen? Attitude, priority, health, family, thinking, commitment, faith, relationships, generosity, values and growth. Note faith is listed. Maxwell realizes not everyone is spiritual. He allows readers the concept of refusing this goal. Maxwell includes examples through others as well as himself to get his points across.

Maxwell is adamant when he emphasizes the wisdom of practicing daily discipline in one's life -- think things through; settle your matters everyday; take care of your financial matters daily; surround yourself with positive people; and most of all remember what you do today impacts your tomorrow.

_Today Matters_ has the ability to empower its readers. Once we learn, we must practice. That's the key to empowering today and having a successful tomorrow. Highly recommended.

Brenda @ MyShelf.Com ... Read more

Reviews (6)

52 weeks to growing rich with Napolean Hill
I have to admit that I am a huge fan of Napolean Hill. I loved Think and Grow Rich and I love virtually everythingelse he wrote as well.

I found this book to be excellent as a supplement to Think and Grow Rich. I keep a copy on my desk and read Napolean Hills wisdom before I commence the day. It works.

Home Truths
Napolean Hill talks about attitude, outlook and how they influence a person's destiny. He's right and communicates this message to anyone who will listen. This book also has updated material more relevant to our time. If anyone is serious about changing their circumstance then this book is a good place to start.

Manuscript for Success
This is a wonderful book. What you are supposed to do is read a chapter a week. I had to plow right through the whole thing.

What Mr. Hill teaches, among other things is that you have to decide Exactly what you want, make a plan and go for it. He teaches about 40 other things too, but that is the main point.

Mr. Hill uses excellent examples from personal experience how to accomplish great things.

I'm sure you will love this book if you love success/self help type books.

Wonderful & thought provoking.
If you want success in any aspect of your life, you must read this timeless classic by Napolean Hill. He walks you through a 52 week roadmap to success.

Nice job! As good as THINK AND GROW RICH
This book is easy to follow and simple to read. Each chapter is a weeks worth of lessons. Just read a chapter, put the book down, and practice the methods, it's that simple! I have a whole new outlook on my career, and my worth! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A book well worth your time!
The Children's Homer is a great book for older elementary children if they like adventure and are interested in learning about Greek society. It is an excellent book about the great Greek hero Odysseus and his son, Telemachus. When Telemachus is a baby his father, Odysseus, is called to go to war. When Telemachus grows older, the goddess Athene tells him to go seek his father. Telemachus obeys and great adventure begins. I personally thought that the names were hard to keep up with, but the book holds much magic and adventure. I also would have never wanted to read the book on my own, but I'm glad I got the chance in school. The book kept me interested just about all the time, and I always looked forward to reading more. My favorite character was Odysseus, because he was brave and wise. He would listen to advice given to him and was polite and thankful. I think I will always remember the story because it shows many good character traits that everyone needs.

A Beautiful Adaptation of Classics for Children
Padraic Colum (1881-1972) saw the need to introduce the classics to young children. In 1918 he published this book The Children's Homer which combines the retelling of both Homer's Illiad and Odyssey. It is obvious that his idea and his book has stood the test of time since this book is now in reprint for our children to learn from today. The few illustrations are by Willy Pogany and are well done. This is an excellent way to introduce our children or the younger student to the classics.
Simon & Schuster's Aladdin Paperback published this edition and on the back cover they offer a web site of www.SimonSaysKids.com for all who are interested.

Warning: archaic language
This is a very well-written book -- for its time. I find that the archaic language make it unsuited for reading to children. (It is filled with "thee", "thou," "raiment," etc.) I had to practically translate the conversations between the characters for my son. For example Achilles says: "Deem'st thou I grieve for ..."

I still read it to my son (with plenty of translation and paraphrasing), and he still thoroughly enjoys the Homeric epic. But I think a more contemporary rendering would have been much better.

This is a terrible Book
I hated. I like most books but this one was terrible. I had to read it for school. One person in my whole class liked it, most of the kids in my class did not even understand it . Never get this book for a kid. Teachers if you want to teach your kids to like to read get somthing else not this.

Childrens Homer
This is the worst book i have ever read!!!!!! Never read it!!!! It is soooooo boring! Are English teacher made us read it! Don't read it! ... Read more

Book Description

4 CD's 0-553-47321-2
4 Hours
Introduction read by the author

Peter Senge's ground-breaking ideas on building organizations have made him a household name amongst corporate managers. His theories help businesses to clarify their goals, to defy the odds, to more clearly understand threats, and to recognize new opportunities. He introduces managers to a new source of competitive advantage, and offers a marvelously empowering approach to work.

THE FIFTH DISCIPLINE
Mastery of Senge's five disciplines enables managers to overcome their obstacles to growth and creates brave new futures for them and their companies. The five disciplines are drawn from science, spiritual wisdom, psychology, the cutting edge of management thought, and Senge's own work with top corporations that employ his methods. Listening to The Fifth Discipline provides a searching personal experience and a dramatic professional shift of mind.

An MIT Professor's pathbreaking book on building "learning organizations" -- corporations that overcome inherent obstacles to learning and develop dynamic ways to pinpoint the threats that face them and to recognize new opportunities. Not only is the learning organization a new source of competitive advantage, it also offers a marvelously empowering approach to work, one which promises that, as Archimedes put it, "With a lever long enough... single-handed I can move the world." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Powerful!
As an aspiring school administrator, I bought this CD because I kept hearing Senge's name come up time and time again in the change literature. Listening to the CDs, I felt both inspired and englightened ... suddenly, all that I had read, learned, and experienced about change began to make sense. Situations where change had been foiled, colleagues had been "frozen," and reforms failed began to make sense thanks to Senge's framework. Best of all, I feel as though I have a strategy to ensure that future reform efforts are more effective, rather than destined for failure.

The CD is a mixture of both a professional reader and Senge himself. Both are lively, however, and you will find yourself returning to their words time and time again for answers.

A diamond in the rough
This book is probably one of the most impressive books I've read in a long time. I had the book on CD, which made the first example given (about systems thinking) much more easy to get through. Even so, I would suggest this to anyone, even if you're managing a 'family'. The research is sound, and the concepts are right on.

I also have read the accompanying fieldbook, and I would state that perhaps the fieldbook might give you a good place to start if you feel this book comes across as "too scholarly". But ultimately both are a must read!

It's the Supply Chain, Stupid!
A listener-friendly audio-cassette emphasizing the need to beaware of the entire supply chain, to recognize interdependenciesbetween you, your suppliers and your customers, and to take to heart that seemingly innocuous changes can have supply chain-wide impacts due to inherent (and changeable) systemic structural constraints. Minor downside: perhaps a bit repititious at times. Nevetheless, I strongly recommend this audio-cassette. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Advanced Selling Techniques
Another Brian Tracy classic. This tape series is the advanced compliment to The Psychology of Selling. It goes into greater detail the reasons why customers buy and how to know your customers and build critical relationships in order to position yourself against and beat the competition. Step by step examples of how to prospect and set personal sales goals help any salesperson who is willing to apply himself rise to the top ten percent in their industry. The entire series is well worth reviewing every few months to sharpen the focus on getting to the main decision makers and closing sales. ... Read more

Book Description

The principles you live by today create the world you live in: if you change the principles you live by, you can change your world.

In the life-changing tradition of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Power Principle teaches the core principles that dramatically affect our careers and our lives. Dr. Blaine Lee, an extraordinary teacher, shows how principle-centered power is the ability to influence others' behavior, not to control, change, or manipulate it. Power is something other people feel in your presence because of what you are as well as what you can do, what you stand for, and how you live your life. When you honor others, they will honor you. Lee shows you how to overcome powerlessness, create legitimate power and influence with honor, and create a legacy that will outlast you in the lives of the people you care the most about. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A Gift to those who want to help others!
The power principle is an outstanding book for those who want to influence others in a positive way. The three forms of power: Coercive, Utility; and Principle-Centered seem to be ways in which people tend to interact with each other. I loved the story about Oliver who showed how powerlessness can still be powerful; it was a moving moment. Emily Carr mentions "I don't think you can explain growth. it is silent, it is subtle. You don't keep digging up a plant to see how it is growing " Page 124. There are many examples of how people learn through adversity; the drama teacher who believed in that deaf boy so much that he managed to complete the play with success was a pleasant experience to read about. The book has a positive integrity which comes across with so much compassion being shown in many areas which one can relate to; moreover there are some poems which bring a new light on some areas. It is great book with plenty of stories and examples which are moving; furthermore I enjoyed reading the glorious beauty of love in the chapters. The mother who told her son not show his true feelings ever; and the son believed her hardly did which affected him in his life; however before she died she told him that she was wrong; and that he should show his feelings seemed to make me wonder about advice. If you want to influence with honor this book will give insights to help a person improve or enlighten. " We are here but a short time. Whatever our role - leader, parent, teacher, salesperson, friend, family member, CEO - we are the singers who become the choir. Are you singing? Are you teaching the song to others? You have one life to live. You live your life as you believe in living it and then it is gone and you are gone. Yet your legacy may live on in others. Your teaching and leading keeps the song alive. May the song stay on your lips long after you put this book down. " Blaine Lee Page 335.

weLEAD Book Review by the Editor of leadingtoday.org
Dr. Lee is an associate of Stephen R. Covey and vice president of Franklin Covey Company. If you appreciate Dr. Covey's books including Principle-Centered Leadership or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, you will want this book! Blaine Lee discusses what he terms the power principle, which has the potential to significantly impact all of our relationships in and out of the workplace.

In a nutshell this power principle is defined as learning to influence with honor. Dr. Lee begins the book by discussing the relationship between power and influence. Most societies and cultures use two fundamental power strategies to influence others and achieve efficiency. The first power strategy is one of forced coercion. People do things because they are afraid not to. The person in authority has the "ability to intimidate or bully people, to do something unpleasant or uncomfortable to other people." The second option is that of a fair exchange approach. People do what they are told because of what the person in authority can do for them. They offer their services because "I will pay you if you'll do what I want. I have something to exchange for your time and effort...I've got something you want, you've got something I want. Let's make a deal." Blaine explains how these two approaches may be efficient but long-term they are not effective or productive.

The Power Principle offers a third approach to power strategy. It is predicated on a number of core principles clearly discussed by Dr. Lee. This is a different kind of power since it "suggests that the person you believe is powerful is someone others believe in, someone they honor, someone they respect." When others honor you, you have the ability to have sustained, long-term influence with them. The second 2/3rds of the book discusses why the power principle makes a difference, what they are, and how to use this strategy with your family, customers and coworkers. The final chapters deal with making a commitment to change and the power principle a lifelong quest.

This is an outstanding work and makes an excellent companion to Dr. Covey's highly respected principle-centered philosophy.

New power concept
The power principle is really a good book, however, it is very difficult in implementing and taking time. Examples in book are still not clear of how to live as a principled-center power. There are many inspring stories but do not clearly present what and how reader should live in the appropriate way.

Good things are all ten principles of power which I totally agree that everyone should follow, however, if the author makes it more conclusion and separate sections to make reader more understand the logic of thinking, the book will be better than it is.

By total, I will try to live in a principle-centered power life. And I love the book.

Little information on practical inflential skills
Interesting read at the beginning, but becomes rather boring and lack of solid substance towards the end. However the book contains a lot of interesting and inspiring metaphors which have saved the book from becoming a boring read.

P.

Must read for teachers
I believe the message of this book is so powerful I use it as one of the textbooks for the Classroom Management course that I teach. My students rave about it and feel that it gives them a better insight into their own issues regarding power. Many have said that the book has helped them with their relationships. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The tortoise and the hare--not to mention a popular '60s-era adage--warned us that Speed Kills. Not so fast, contend Jason Jennings and Laurence Haughton, international consultants who have worked together since 1976. In It's Not the Big That Eat the Small... It's the Fast That Eat the Slow, the two argue that only the swiftest of corporations will thrive in the 21st century. They then outline a program, based on best practices developed by contemporary speedsters like Charles Schwab and AOL that readers can work into their own businesses by similarly focusing on "commerce, resource deployment, and people." Its four parts examine ways to create environments that anticipate the future, reassess operations and personnel and make appropriate adjustments whenever necessary, launch a "crusade" while "staying beneath the radar," and maintain velocity through institutionalization and close customer relationships. "This book will show you how to think and move faster than your competition," they write, adding that "being faster doesn't mean being out of breath. It means being smarter." Many of their suggestions will be familiar to those who follow the business of business improvement, but the singular (and quite convincing) context to which Jennings and Haughton now apply them help make this book unique. --Howard Rothman ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Simple management philosophy that worths a read
I think most people understand the importance of "speed" in the marketplace. The problem lies in "how" to incorporate this element into their daily business before they or their companies had been eaten by someone else. I am sorry that the author had not done a good job in this respect. He said a lot about the advantages of being speedy, but not practical methods of pushing it through bureaucracy, redtape, human resistance to change, the long term committment of top management......... Perhaps I had demanded too much from such a small book. However, I really believe the author is capable of giving us more, judged by his smooth and intelligent writing skills and choice of words.

Below please find some copy and paste for your reference.

Speed, merely for the sake of moving fast, without a destination inmind, is haste. Eventually, out of control, speed will land you in big trouble. But imagine how manymore races you would win if you had a big head start. Think about the advantageyou would have if you knew what the future was going to look like and were able to spot trends before the competition. Consider the power of being able to think about things quickly and accurately, tackling in minutes the same big issues and questions the competition would be processing for weeks. pg 9

Question everything...all the time. If you want to hone your anticipatory skills, accept nothing. Question everything. Ask how and why of everything that's presented to you. pg 19

A fund manager's best year will likely be his or her first. He or she is without a need to defend the previous year's choices and is able to ruthlessly assess the viability and potential performance of holdings in the fund. Dr. Richard Geist, professor of psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School. pg 101

It's not the strongest nor most intelligent of the species that survive; it is the one most adaptable to change. Charles Darwin pg 111

When you refuse to abandon, bad things always seem to happen.

p.s. The main book title is very interesting. I think if the author did add one more word "idiot" in the end, the impact will be even bigger.

Good
Lots of good stuff. Some you'll have read in other books, but that's not a negative if such info is presented in a new way, as it is here. I do think the choices of AOL and Hotmail as fast company examples were dumb choices, since Hotmail never actually turned a profit, it just grew to become an enticing buy for Microsoft, which is when the owners cashed in. AOL's troubled history is famous enough I need not repeat it here. But the other companies chosen (Charles Schwab, Clear Channel, among others) as examples are "legitimate" companies, aiming for profit and succeeding while growing quickly. And it's because of those examples I recommend this book.

Some flaws, but overall a good value
There is an old story about the two fellows who went lion hunting in Africa. They searched for days to no avail, then suddenly-right in front of them-was a huge lion!
The lion saw them, too, and thought, "lunch!" One of the men reached into his knapsack, retrieved his running shoes, and began putting them on. His friend, incredulous, mocked, "You'll never outrun that lion." The first man responded, "I don't have to outrun the lion; I just have to outrun you!"

The speed of business has increased, along with the speed of change. Today, and in the years ahead, the prizes will go to the companies that anticipate the trends, then move most quickly and wisely to put themselves in the right place at the right time. Those firms that allow any employee-at any level-to tie them to tradition or to get in the way of progress risk extinction. Given the title, we'd expect to find the secrets in the pages of this book. Readers will find quite a few tips, some great lessons, snappy writing, and valuable summary lists at the end of each chapter. There's a lot of good content here, but also some annoying redundancy.

This well-organized book moves steadily and deliberately through a collection of strategies that stimulate thinking and action. A number of examples are offered to illustrate fast movement and not-fast-enough movement. Many of the anecdotes and case studies come from the same companies, which is both good and bad. We see deeper into these companies, but miss the opportunity to appreciate the strategies and actions of a wider range of organizations. Hearing about the same companies over and over again made me wonder if the authors had investigated any other examples. The sameness got old.

Toward the end of the book, the reader may sense some repetition, as if the authors forgot they had mentioned these things or were looking for filler to complete the manuscript at the end of their writing process. I sensed some redundancy in the main body of the book, but as the manuscript drew to a close I almost lost interest because I was reading words I'd already read.

There's a lot of good content in this volume, so I'll still recommend it. Look for the tips, the advice, and the strategies that will inspire you to make notes, turn down pages, and highlight various sections. While the book wasn't 100% for me, there are a lot of valuable and thought-provoking lessons in these pages. Many of the ideas and observations are sufficiently thought-provoking to stimulate change in the way you do things, particularly if you perceive yourself to be in a competitive environment.

This review refers to the hardcover edition.

Speed Plus Torque = Victory!
This is the first of two books by Jennings which I have recently read. (The other is Less Is More.) It was written in collaboration with Laurence Haughton. The subtitle reveals their core assertion: "How to Use Speed as a Competitive Tool in Business." Correctly, they stress the importance of using speedto achieve and then sustain a decisive competitive advantage. They also realize that there are times for an organization to be a sprinter but other times to proceed as if in a marathon.

In the Prologue, Jennings and Haughton explain that they "began with a blank canvas. No points to prove, no axes to grind, and no one to impress. We truly wanted to figure this 'speed thing' out and boil it down into easy-to-replicate tactics." They developed criteria for selecting the fastest companies and then focused on them: Charles Schwab, Clear Channel Communications, AOL, H&M, Hotmail, Telepizza, and Lend Lease. The book presents a number of real-life lessons from these high-speed companies and their full-throttle executives. The authors also provide "time-proven instructions on becoming faster than anyone else."

The material is organized within four Parts: Fast Thinking, Fast Decisions, Get to Market Faster, and finally, Sustaining Speed. In their Epilogue, the authors observe that, early on in their research, they discovered that "truly fast companies that have demonstrated the ability to maintain momentum aren't naturally any faster than their slower-moving rivals. But they are smarter." What's the difference? The truly fast companies avoid, "blow up," or get past various "speed bumps," refusing to be delayed or prevented from getting to where they want to be.

As I read this book, I began to think of an organization as a vehicle. As such, what are its requirements? First, a specific and appropriate destination. Next, a capable driver. Then, a sufficiently powerful engine and enough fuel to keep it running. Also, a transmission with different gears (including reverse), shock absorbers, and brakes. Gauges keep the driver fully informed of available fuel, oil pressure, speed, time, etc. Jennings and Haughton discuss "speed bumps" and could have just easily included a discussion of terrain and weather. A number of organizations -- S&Ls 15-20 years ago and dot coms more recently -- have failed because they could not cope with "rough roads" and "foul weather." In several instances, imprudent speed was a factor in their demise. I want to stress this point because Jennings and Haughton do not glorify speed per se. In certain situations, however, speed is the determinant insofar as success and failure are concerned. Rapid response to customers' needs, for example, or to a new business opportunity. To extend the vehicle metaphor, executives also need a multi-gear "transmission" as well as an accelerator and brakes...and the skill to use each as well as the wisdom to know when.

Jennings and Haughton have a Snap! Crackle! and Pop! writing style which is eminently appropriate to the subject. They also have a delightful sense of humor which substantially increases the entertainment value of their work even as they focus on an especially serious subject: business competition in an age and at a time when it has never before been so intense and when prudent speed frequently determines the difference between organizational life or death. This is a brilliant achievement.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Jennings' Less Is More as well as Curt Coffman and Gabriel Gonzalez-Molina's Follow This Path.

Average Book
If you did not read many books of management, you will certainly profit from reading this book. There'a a total lack of care for personel but a lot of good ideas.
Read a book on Emotional Intelligence together with this one, mix them both and get to work! ... Read more

Book Description

When do we need vision?During times of growth, change or opportunity -- so that we know we're headed in the right direction. We also need vision during times of uncertainty-- when we've lost confidence in our leaders, our institutions or ourselves. Instead of focusing on "what's next," we need to refocus on "what's first." Getting back to the basics means knowing who you are, where you're going, and what will guide your journey -- having a vision. When work is meaningful and connected to what we truly desire, we tap into a productive and creative power stronger than we ever imagined.

In Full Steam Ahead! you'll learn:

• How to use the power of vision to get focused, get energized and get great results
• How to create a vision that touches the hearts and spirits of everyone in your organization
• How to create a vision for your own life that provides meaningand direction

The lessons of Full Steam Ahead! are surprisingly simple, practical and powerful. They demonstrate that vision is not only necessary, but also possible and achievable. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Fabulous!
Full Steam Ahead! is the best book I've read this year.My husband and I own our own business.After both reading the book, we sat down together and created a vision for our business.It was exciting and helped us get really focused.We were then able to discuss it with our employees.Their ideas made our vision even richer.And, to our delight, created an amazing amount of energy.We are all working so much better together now.I can't say more.You need to read the book yourself and then you'll understand.

However, I would like to add that we also created a vision for our family with our two children (ages 11 and 15).Once again, it was an amazing experience.The kind of discussion we had was so different from anything than we had done before.It really helped us all understand and appreciate each others' viewpoints better and to also understand how much we share the same values.(Big relief!)

So, even if you are not in business, I highly recommend this book!It can be used in so many ways.

Powerful, practical, useful!
Full steam ahead is a phenomenal book.It was critical to my understanding of vision.Prior to reading to this book, my understanding of vision was fuzzy at best, limited to what I know in scripture.Of vision, scripture states (Habakkuk 2:2) that we should write the vision and make it plain upon tables that he that reads it might run with it.The Hebrew word for vision, `chazown', indicates that the vision is a mental picture.Beyond that, I had never been clear on the elements of a vision, neither did I have a clear idea of how to craft a vision statement.

Now I understand that vision is all about knowing who you are (clear purpose), where you are going (picture of the future), and what will guide your journey (values).Your values guide you when you hit opposition or obstacles.I have been able to use these concepts and others presented in the book to craft a vision that is energizing and provides focus and direction.I have been able to explain it so that others want to support me.And, I have been amazed at the results.

Thank you, Ken Blanchard and Jesse Stoner for writing this book.You have offered a valuable service in helping people learn how to go Full Steam Ahead!

Highest praise.Best book I've read this year!
Full Steam Ahead! had such an impact on me that I decided to take the time to write a review, which I've never been moved to do before.I think it's important to let others know about this excellent book.It was given to me as a gift, which I left on the shelf for awhile.However, one evening I picked it up and started reading.I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting!It made so much sense to me and it gave me great ideas that I could start using immediately.That was six months ago. Before I read the book, I thought my team was doing fine.After reading the book, I understood how much more we could be doing.I involved the rest of my team in creating a vision and we moved to a new level.Not only has my team been recognized for our contributions, but I've recently been promoted!

Full Steam Ahead! is a practical, down-to-earth book with excellent advice on how to get momentum, direction, focus and energy from your work as well as in your personal life.It is packed with examples of real situations such as an accounting department in an insurance agency, a fire department, and a public school.It also has great examples of how to create a personal vision for one's own life.

The first half of the book explains what makes a compelling vision--one that really provides direction (not some airy-fairy statement or bunch of platitudes like we see in so many places) but a vision that is capable of mobilizing people. The second half of the book focuses on how to make the vision a reality.What you need to do once you have identified a vision.

Full Steam Ahead! uses a parable format, which makes it easy to read and not so theoretical and dry.It includes some of the same ideas as The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge but is much easier to read and understand.But it's not a recap of what others have written.It offers new and fresh thinking.While others write that vision is important, Full Steam Ahead! explains the elements of a compelling vision and how to create one.I've never found a book before that actually did that.Full Steam Ahead! is not just inspiring and