Audiobook Books

We are launching Strategic Planning for the next 5 years...our facilitator of our Strategic Planning suggested that all 16 employees read this book before we launch our planning sessions...it was terrific! Gave everyone a volcabulary and context in which to work as we journey forward to make our own organization totally functional!!!!

As a corporate human resources director, I am continually searching for material that will enhance our organizations team skills. Somewhat like another management book that I recommended Our Iceberg Is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions, the author uses fictional tales to deliver truthful insights into our business practices. I found the book to be a very intertaining and fun read along with a ton of valuable information. The concepts within the book can be easily implemented and will result in continual improvement in your team building endeavors. The value of teamwork within the modern corporate structure is sometimes a hard sell in the real world. Managers need reference material and books that contain much needed advice if they are going to `prove' the value of teamwork to the CEO. Like communication, everyone says it is important but the rubber rarely meets the road.

The part of the book that details the "five dysfunctions" is a great reference guide and also a topic that sounds eerily familiar as all seasoned managers have been down that road. The `five' are:

1. Absence of trust,
2. Fear of conflict
3. Lack of commitment
4. Avoidance of accountability
5. Inattention to results.

Buy this book. It will be a valuable addition to your bookshelf and certainly one that will be referenced again and again through the years. Michael L. Gooch, SPHR Author of Wingtips with Spurs

just gets the mind going in some good thoughts. a great, quick read to plug some new ideas into one's head. i recommend.

I read a great number of titles on leadership, organizational development, and team building.

This book, told as a fable, is a very quick read and will seem unlike any other book of this sort you've read. As you read it, you'll feel as though the author has been following you through your life at work. It's a very eerie feeling when you realize that each of the characters already works with you at your office.

I particularly enjoyed the focus on organizational alignment, team building, and healthy conflict. These are essential ingredients to the recipe for an excellent team!

I've recommended this book to several other executives where I work and have received 5 star ratings in return.

The Five Dysfunctions of Leadership was given to me at a company leadership course. While the course itself was excellent the book is not the most technical of leadership guides. It uses for some a shallow fictional premise and story to guide readers through a corporate teams rebuilding phase. And while I agree with some of the other reviews in that this book may not provide the reader with an in-depth or technical, step by step, how-to version of effective team building methods. I think it does give the reader some insight as to the thinking process leaders encounter when faced with the prospect of strengthening and/or rebuilding and redirecting highly capable individuals. It also does a good job of addressing the compassion needed to properly nurture and shape team members. I would not depend on this book as my only avenue for learning and perfecting corporate team building. But it's not completely devoid of helpful information and since it can be read in a couple of hours, it's worth a look.

I have enjoyed the Pimsleur method. The way it builds slowly, from individual words to sentences to whole conversations, makes the process quite user friendly. Even though they recommend that you don't try to read or look up the words until you get to a higher level, I found occasionally that looking up the word just to see what it looked like made it easier to remember. All in all, I've truly enjoyed this series and feel quite prepared for my upcoming trip to France.

This product is very useful if you have little knowledge of conversational French & it is a good review if you already have some understanding of the language. I haven't finished the CDs yet but I'm enjoying the practice & listening to native speakers. I'll have to do an update review after I get back from France to see whether Pimsleur's method worked for me. So far it's fun.

This is the first French language product that has been an effective tool for me to actually learn French. I've taken local classes, used Rosetta Stone, and purchased Smart French audio CDS. Yes...I am an old dog and its very hard for me to learn new tricks. Pimsleur was effective because of the reviews that occur throughout the audio set. You just don't memorize it one time and then never hear it again. The next session builds on the previous session with a some "new material" and by the end you've built a "small" but effective vocabulary. I also learned specific language rules that were omitted or assumed common knowledge in my French class. I understand that other users may want a written book or guide. However, I've found that with French, it is better NOT to know how the word is spelled because it doesn't sound anything like the way it's spelled. It's definitely better to learn the correct pronounciation FIRST. I highly recommend this audio series. It was much more effective than the Smart French Audio CDs.

Pimsleur's Conversational French CDs are very easy to use and convenient. We keep them in the car because we are there often. Everyone joins in repeating the phrases. Most of the sentences are ones that you would use in getting about a French speaking area. However, I would have liked having a written booklet with it, because it is difficult to determine b or v and some other pronunciations. On the whole I feel it is worth the reasonable we paid for it. The lessons progress from one to the other so that there is a continuity in learning.

Pimsleur's products are excellent. The CDs provide the very thorough repetition and drill necessary to begin building real converstional/listening skills. I've used Pimsleur to garner "travel fluency" in both French and Spanish. While I've continued studying French, I still ocassionally revisit the Spanish discs to review before travel.

I've tried various beginner's listening CDs. Pimleur's are by far the best. They are an excellent first step.

simple concise, informative, accessible, and ultimately positive view of the United States in an ever growing global economy..

This is a well written overview of world economies. But it reminded me too much of "The World is Flat" book. Also there is not enough new revelations. I could not finish the book, it did not grab my attention.

This is an interesting book, especially being written by an Indian-American. But it's honestly just another book that gives us warning that India and China are on the verge of really becoming important players on the world's scene. This is not new information and there's really not that much more in this book that can't be found elsewhere. But it's intelligently written and flows nicely. I also like that there's a lot of history backing up his reasons for saying what he says about India and China. It would've been nice if there was something here that wasn't such a tired refrain at this point.

Because of its title, Fareed Zakaria's The Post-American World may lead readers to believe that this book predicts the decline of the U.S. as a world superpower. But as the author explains early in the book, his intentions are to describe "the rise of the rest" in the global stage. Zakaria's thesis is that we are entering a world order in which there will be many superpowers, not only one. Interestingly, their power will not lie in their military might, but in their economic prowess.

To support his ideas, Zakaria provide us with fascinating and well-researched historical and socioeconomic data on the "new" global players, among them China and India. Using this data and superb critical thinking, he also discusses the challenges that this new global landscape will present for the U.S.

Perhaps not all of Zakaria's world predictions will come to pass, but he certainly makes a strong case to support this new global scenario. This is an important book and a must read for those interested in international affairs and what the role of the U.S. should be in this, our brave new world.

Great book. I loved it and am passing it on to my friends. It has alot of the same qualities of "The World is Flat", but more of what is happening in China.

"Garth Stein has managed to combine my two loves - racing and my dog - into a sometimes amusing, sometimes heartbreaking, literary masterpiece. >From one dog and racing lover to another, thanks for the ride."
Bob Bondurant (and Rusty)
Owner, CEO
The Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving

I don't read nearly as much as I should so when my wife suggested audio books for our weekly trips to the cottage I was all for it. Don't get me wrong I love music and could listen to classic rock to the moon and back but I'm also a fan of good stories. Much to my surprise a good book keeps me awake while driving. This past weekend I picked the book and it was "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein. I picked it because it is told from the point of view of Enzo the lab-terrier mix. Everyone who knows me and knows my dog knows I love dogs. It is the dogs last day and he is reflecting on his life as the pet of Denny Swift a customer service guy at a BMW dealership and part-time race car driver who treats him like a son. Enzo grows up watching TV but good stuff like Discovery & the Weather Channel. Enzo adapts to changes in Denny's life like him getting married to Eve and then welcoming an addition in the form of their daughter Zoë. Enzo learns all about auto racing and the lessons apply not only to racing but to life itself, even the life of a dog. But then bad things happen to good people and you get so wrapped up in this story that you start to feel as though it is happening to someone you know, the family next door or a relative in a nearby state. This book evokes real emotions in the reader or in this case the listener. I felt joy, sadness, anger and genuine humor to the "laugh out loud" state. I recommend this with 5 stars. It should be made into a movie. We got about 2/3 done on the way to the cottage and I was happy to return home just to listen to the rest...

If you like stories about dogs and their owners then you will LOVE this
book. The vet who writes this is AWESOME!! I liked it so well, I bought
the audio book for my husband. IT IS THAT GOOD!!

This book discloses information on different subjects that I had no idea existed. It is well written, easy to comprehend, and I recommend it to anyone who disires awareness of this complicated world we live in.

This is another Dick Morris must read. I have heard conservative talk radio talk about Congress trying to get rid of them. WHY? More people listen to TV than talk radio and being a registered Independent, I am continually irritated by Charlie Gibson, Diane Sawyer, Campbell Brown even Tom Brokaw for their comments that "we" think----about whatever subject you want to bring up relating to the Democrats. I am for objective reporting for both parties and this is truly lacking in 2008.

As for Congress----it needs an overhaul. Foreign governments are indeed fleecing us for the benefit of the leaders, not the people. What makes it worse is that we borrow from China to lend to Middle East countries. I could go on------------------Read the book.

This book shows how Democrats have turned this country into a "partissan" country and how the Democrats are only for "their" party and not the people, how they are against the "Patriot Act", etc...etc. Written by Dick Morris, former "Clinton Campaign Manager", he sheds insight into the world of politics like no one else can. Great book!

The fact that the American public is being "Fleeced" by our own government, elected officials, our banks, big business, the lying liberal media and the world, in general, is not news; Dick and Eileen have just confirmed it! This should make me feel "better"- -knowing that I'm not imagining all of this; not being hypersensitive, or overly imaginative, as my family seems to think. Dick and Eileen have done a great job of research and fact finding and made it an intense and interesting read, even for a novice "political activist, like myself! Honestly, I would recommend it be "required reading" for every high school and college social studies and economics class! My greatest wish- - that every voting American will read it before November elections!

Words of Wazzupery from the Duke of Dimwit!
Can you trust a man that held rendezvous with ladies of the night in a fleebag Washington DC hotel and let them listen into phone conversations he had with President Clinton? Well, NO! Anyone that loses an argument to Bill O'Reilly and has to buy him dinner, can't have much to add to any political debate. You decide.

I guess I did not read the description carefully, because I assumed the CD came with the books to look at while listening. So after it arrived, I ordered all the books as well.
As for the CD, I think the reader presents the story a little to quickly for very young listeners, not giving them enough time to contemplate the thoughts presented in the dialog. I would prefer she read it slower. Her voice is a bit raspy, and she does not sing the songs, instead recites them as a poem. I guess I am used to the way I read the book, changing voices sometimes for each character, especially when singing the made-up songs that are a special part of Frances' personality.

All in all though, I would highly recommend the CD but buy the books as well of course.

I have loved these "Frances" stories since my Daughter was in kindergarten, & she's now 39 years old. I bought every book in the series and have read them to all my Grandchildren & they've all loved them, also. I still like to read them, so I wanted to get the audio collection for my Grandson who is now 4 years old. I'll have a difficult time not opening it to listen to it before he gets it. I just think these are the cutest & funniest stories ever. So natural to how children really feel in so many different situations.

If you enjoy the "Frances" stories you will love this audio selection of some of the best. They are read by Glynis Johns, from the "Mary Poppins" movie. She has an incredible voice. You will laugh out loud at her delivery of some of the text. My family listened to it all the way through the day we got it -- and again the next day. It's great for car trips for preschool children. The stories are just the right length to listen to one or two as you run errands with your children.

Frances was a favorite of mine as a child, so I bought the books for my daughter who is 2yrs old. She doesn't quite get it yet, but likes listening to it nonetheless, and I've discovered that these stories are fun for the grown-up reading them too.

We listened to this twice on our our 1200 mile trip over the past week. Our 6 year old daughter was entertained by it. Our son, whom is was actually purchased for, was a bit oblivious to it. He's almost 4. My husband and I were about to jump out the window though. The author's voice and reading style and the singing were beyond grating on our last nerve!

The first lesson went swimmingly. I build up confidence and could easily follow and use the language I learned. With enthusiasm I moved onto the second CD and alas the speed of delivery and quantity of new vocabulary made it clear that this might not be the best resource for the new learner of Italian. This is despite the assurances of the Italian speakers who model the langauge.

I have this series on audiotape so can't comment on the issues others are bringing up about the 2nd disc in the series, but I did find the series to be well worth the very inexpensive price. I listened a lot while driving and was well prepared for my first and second trips to Italy, at least in being able to get around and ask questions and understand the answers. A lot of Italians assumed by what I said that I was fully conversant and knew more than I actually did!
I liked that there was variety in the way the information was presented - first the conversation in Italian spoken fairly rapidly, followed by the words, translation of the conversation, repeat the dialogue, answer questions based on the lesson, etc. so the information was repeated several times but in different ways so as not to be boring or tedious. I preferred it to Pimsleur, which seemed just to repeat the same words over and over to the point of being annoying and some others which I found not at all helpful. I would definitely recommend this series to someone wanting to get a good start in learning to speak Italian, especially for travelers who do not feel the need to become fully conversational in Italian.

Recently got this to learn some italian. I dont know how much it will help as im only on disc two,but its FULL of info and the book that comes with it is a great guide to learning too. I think this is going to be great(once I learn it) Cd one and two has been wonderful.

I have purchased other teach your self courses in Italian and this is the best one I've heard. It starts out slow and even though some people say it speeds up and gets too fast, it still keeps a slow pace with the Italian. If you think this CD is too fast, try taking a trip to Italy and talking to one of the locals. The English speaking people in this course are very soft spoken with easily tolerable voices and the Italian speakers speak very clearly. I went through the first two CD's in just a couple of days and have been on the third one for about two weeks. I already can put together basic sentences and can interpret most spoken Italian. My biggest suggestion to anyone buying this course is to also get an English/Italian dictionary so you can see how the words are spelt and properly pronounced.

First cd is great - but then it starts moving too fast for a beginner.

The product is a wonderful value and saved our vacation. Please note that this is an introductory course and is not comprehensive by any means. We were told that most everyone in Germany spoke English but found many uncomfortable to do so. This product gave me enough German to convey my wants and desires. The lessons are easy to follow and teach by hearing and speaking. I was able to review all the material in two weeks and got many compliments on how well I sopke the language. This product would be helped greatly by some written material for back up. Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase and heartily recommend it to any beginner.

Would not recommend this for beginners
As there are no books
I took 2 years in high school
and two years in College
so, I know the grammatical side
and how to spell

I bought this box set for my boyfriend who is serving at a German army base. He says it has been helpful and he sleeps with the cds playing in his ears. Luckily, most Germans speak English but they appreciate your effort to speak German.

I have been amazed that I have been able to learn the language so fast. I truly think this is an excellent program.

Fairly solid grounding in beginning German; strong on pronunciation but short on vocabulary. And possessed of some very strange interchanges. You ask Frau Meyer if she wants some wine. She does. Then you ask her if she also wants a beer, as apparently she's either an alcoholic or you're trying to get her looped. So while you learn a little bit of German very well, it doesn't quite build enough vocabulary to have a conversation much beyond "I know a little German but I don't speak it well." And you'll sound like you're kidding when you say it with such good pronunciation, rendering the phrase almost useless.