Audiobook Books

Excellent product, but should not be relied on solely it you REALLY want to learn Italian. But it makes the ride in the car ( even in traffic!) very bearable.

Very pleased with this product. Using Rosetta Stone at home and the I use this product to practice when in the car.

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.

Though geared to an industrial environment, this book teaches how to think when in need to improve processes. Makes great introductory reading for business process management professionals.

Goldratt's examination of throughput and cultural belief issues in a manufacturing environment are highly informative for anyone involved with a product slated for manufacturing. He illustrates his concepts with adeptly conceived metaphors and parables which makes grasping them much easier. In fact I would even go so far as to recommend this book to those involved in service industries, where his concepts of throughput and bottlenecks may be applied with great utility.
Additionally, on the financial side Goldratt presents models for cost of inventory which I found illuminating, although I am more concerned with the throughput side of the operation.
An excellent easy read I recommend to almost anyone in business.

Per my graduate class in quality engineering:

"Read The Goal and provide an executive summary of the book. The summary should cover the main points of the process that Mr. Rogo and his team took to turn around the plant. In addition to the summary, answer the following questions."

Part I -- Executive Summary

The problem of production has challenged human beings since they first evolved. Even hunters and gatherers had to do elementary planning to evaluate local resources and ration their prizes to assure they met the basic needs of the tribe. Moreover, gathering these basic commodities from nature -- wild game, fruits, nuts, roots, stems, berries, and so forth -- constituted only the first step of the tribal production process. A primitive division of labor within the tribe created the equivalent of an assembly line on the micro scale with hunters, gatherers, preparers, tribal elders, caretakers, medicinal specialists, etc.

Over the millennia, this division of labor continued to specialize and to multiply the range of possible productive occupations. This trend exploded with the advent of new individual freedoms after the American Revolution. The resulting Industrial Revolution greatly swelled the diversity, complexity, and specialization of knowledge needed in the rapidly modernizing society. It resulted in the modern fields of engineering and especially industrial engineering, the study of systems that keep industries humming.

Because of their long history of storytelling, humans still show a strong preference for learning through dramatic interpretation. Young people learn moral lessons like the just rewards of industry through stories such as "The Little Red Hen." Such fictional tales of virtue tend not to make their way so much to older generations. A few exceptions exist in novels such as Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, a story which illustrates the role of the mind in man's life. A more recent exception comes in The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt, a story which illustrates his "Theory of Constraints" dramatically.

Goldratt, a consultant by profession, considers himself a philosopher in his own right. His frustrations in the early 1980s in attempting to convey his new theory of production to his clients led him to write The Goal with the help of professional writer Jeff Cox. Goldratt seeks to show, in the form of a novel, how commonly held yet faulty assumptions about ideal production plant behavior, such as using all processing resources to capacity, neglect integrated thinking at a systems level and lead to net profits far short of potential. To borrow the words of Ayn Rand, Goldratt tells the reader, in effect: "Check your premises." By the end of the tale, protagonists and readers alike have profitably done just that.

Goldratt cleverly tells the story from a first person point of view of its main protagonist, Alex Rogo. The novel opens with Alex struggling to keep his manufacturing plant afloat. As the plant manager, Alex has done his best to apply his degree as an industrial engineer to solve mounting production problems at his plant. But he has had to face the hard truth that his best simply will not do. The plant has fallen into a perpetual "fire fighter" mode in which jobs get "expedited" based on whichever higher manager screams the most loudly on that particular day. Preposterously long work shifts resulting from this modus operandi have placed stresses on his marriage to his wife, Julie, as well as his relationship with their two young children.

Alex encounters Jonah, an old friend and science teacher who challenges Alex on a number of his basic assumptions with a Socratic method of inquiry. "Then, tell me, what is the goal of your manufacturing organization?" he asks Alex after a brief series of opening questions. Although seemingly innocuous, the answer to the question of "the goal" actually opens a floodgate of other questions. These in turn cascade into answers that help Alex and his team of managers to transform the plant from the biggest loser in the company to the most profitable one.

For any plant, of course, "the goal" proves actually quite simple -- to make money. But Alex takes pages and pages of thought and dialogue in the early part of the novel to answer this question, first refuting other common answers such as "to produce products as efficiently as we can" and other misleading slogans before arriving at the final answer to his own satisfaction. His ensuing exchanges with Jonah over the remainder of the novel, combined with many other plot elements, help Alex to work backwards from this goal to the intermediate tasks the plant performs to achieve it. This leads to open challenges and confrontations with management up and down the chain of command in the company as Alex and his new converts strive to drive dogma from the corporate culture and replace it with a well-reasoned production philosophy -- the "Theory of Constraints."

The "Theory of Constraints" itself seems obvious by the end of the novel. It simply shows, for example, that the throughput of a plant will remain constrained by the narrowest "bottleneck" in the production line, with that line including the market demand itself. Hence, attempts to use other resources up and down the line from that bottleneck to full capacity result in backlogs before the bottleneck and idleness after it. Other problems, such as excess inventory and untimely retooling, also result from the "full capacity" fallacy. Moreover, as a plant reorganizes its resources to make the plant more effective, thus increasing its overall capacity, it can experience the phenomenon of moving bottlenecks. Alex Rogo and his team of experts deal with just this occurrence as their plant improves and they later document this as a key component of their process improvement strategy. (See Part II Question 1 for the step by step strategy.)

Goldratt keeps the story interesting with side plots to illustrate his theory, such as a Boy Scout hike that stretches or shrinks depending upon the sequence and ability of the hiking troops. He also shows that "constraints" apply beyond manufacturing plants to human relations as Alex struggles to hold his family together under the "constraints" of 16 hour work shifts. By the end of the novel, Goldratt resolves the conflicts among the characters satisfactorily and shows the happy reality of practicing his "Theory of Constraints."

Readers who liked Atlas Shrugged will enjoy The Goal. While much narrower in scope, it nevertheless remains a novel that challenges many widely held assumptions. As did Ayn Rand, Eliyahu Goldratt demonstrates himself a profound thinker who dares all of us to think more profoundly.

Part II -- Questions and Answers

1. Review the step-by-step approach implementing the Theory of Constraints (TOC) approach. In your opinion, which is the hardest step and why?

Per Chapter 37:

1. IDENTIFY the system's constraint(s).
2. Decide how to EXPLOIT the system's constraint(s).
3. SUBORDINATE everything else to the above decision.
4. ELEVATE the system's constraint(s).
5. WARNING!!!! If in the previous steps a constraint has been broken, go back to step 1, but do not allow INERTIA to cause a system's constraint.

In my experience, the overcoming of inertia mentioned in Step 5 represents the greatest challenge to implementing TOC. Comfort embodies the core of inertia. With management content with how a process currently operates, overcoming that inertia can prove almost impossible.

2. The first edition of this book hit print in 1984. Are the lessons still relevant? Explain.

The lessons of this book remain as relevant today as they did in 1984. Although the industrial culture has learned much since then, the principles remain timeless and warrant consistent and unyielding repetition. Only repetition of a principle assures its continued practice.

3. What is your biggest takeaway from this book and why?

First, my personal takeaway: Julie Rogo behaves like a psychotic drama queen from hell, and her parents, lying sacks of garbage. I fantasize a novel called Alex Shrugged in which immature Julie leaves her hard-working, productive husband under cover of her conniving, coddling parents only to return to the house to find the locks changed, the house sold, and her husband, children, and assets vanished without a trace. She would have gotten her just deserts.

Now, my professional takeaway: The largest lesson I took from this book involves the importance of setting forth principles dramatically. The compelling and engaging story complete with plot, theme, character, and style help to illustrate otherwise dry principles. One can say much the same for Ayn Rand's great novel Atlas Shrugged which illustrated the role of the mind in man's life.

4. The author claims that the TOC is hard for management to accept because the result runs contrary to common practice (i.e., 100% utilization may not be good). Which of these results, or measurements, or practices is the hardest to accept for management (in your opinion)? Explain.

I agree with the author that a result such as using a resource at less than full capacity remains the hardest pill for management to swallow. Management mythology suggests the old nineteenth century whip cracking slave driver who gets maximum effort from his minions and punishes those who "slack." Reality shows that slack remains a vital and indispensable part of any good management system.

5. There is an old saying that "if you measure it, they will do it." How does this phrase relate to the TOC approach?

Every measurement implies an acceptable range of performance. When the plant measured efficiencies of individual components in the system rather than the overall performance of the system, the metrics misled management to focus on "improving" those efficiencies at the expense of overall plant performance. Once the focus changed to the right metrics, plant performance improved dramatically.

6. As the demand on the system increased, problems arose in the plant -- first diagnosed as moving bottlenecks. As the demand on any system reaches capacity, what are the keys to implementing TOC?

Per the answer to Question 1, management must follow the process of constraint identification regularly.

7. Would you have accepted the French order for $701 per part (Model 12)? Is the answer the book takes always the correct answer? Explain.

Per Chapter 38:

"We calculate the load that this large deal will place on the bottlenecks -- no problem. We check the impact on each of the seven problematic work centers -- two might reach the dangerous zone, but we can manage. Then we calculate the financial impact -- impressive. Very impressive. At last we're ready."

Yes, I would have accepted the order. Yes, the book offers the right answer under the conditions given. The Goal of the plant is to make money. This decision served that goal.

8. Are there any flaws in this philosophy? State your perceived flaws, if any, and defend your answer.

The philosophy assumes that management can identify and control all constraints. This does not always hold true, especially in an age of intrusive government regulations with origins in political ambitions. The novel could have at least mentioned this externality as a "constraint" to the effectiveness of the Theory of Constraints.

Great book! I couldn't put it down. Very interesting how the author used a novel to present a breakthrough business theory.

I have just started to read this book, and from the very beginning it feels like you are inside the normal reality of manufacturing.
It is easy to write books about theories, but giving a real feeling of daily manufacturing issues is something new.
I expect a lot form reading the whole, since page by page you discover more as the guy who's involved in story.

I teach English for a living, and this is, by far, the best translation of the Odyssey that is out there. The audio version brings it to life and gets students to actually listen and read along, which isn't bad considering the story itself is over 2,000 years old and still quite a challenge to read. We skip a few books in class to keep interest up (books 2,3,4 are more about Telemachus,and book 11 is easily passed over) but the balance of the audio recordings are stellar. This is money well spent considering how many cds are in this package.

This is an absolutely fabulous product, but if you are not used to listening to audio books, I should give you a warning. This product is 11 CD's of one person speaking for about 13 hours. Can you imagine sitting down in the morning at home and staring at the wall for 13 hours while same voice goes on and on, all day and into the night? No, that won't work. So you at least have to break up the experience into chunks. Also, you might need to be doing something else as well, like walking or driving, so you don't drift off. What I did was listen while driving and intermingle other disks so I would not tire of the same voice. I would listen to one disk of the Odyssey, then I'd listen to a disk of music or a non-fiction lecture, then I'd put in another disk of the Odyssey.

However, the last 4 disks were so gripping I listened to them one after the other and could hardly wait for the next disk. Part of this was Ian McKellen's excellent, nay, masterful, enunciation and inflection. Part of the excitement is the climatic end when Odysseus returns home. Can you imagine a gripping 3 hour long buildup to the climatic moment when he reveals his return? Nothing else can compare!

I probably identified with the climax more now that I am middle-aged, with a home, a wife, and children approaching adulthood than I could have if I was a teenager listening to this or reading the book. There is little as primal to a mature man as the defense of his home and family.

It is astounding to experience a story this exciting and know it is about 2,800 years old.

I listened to this story on audio CD because I realized that I would never read this story because I have gone so far into my life without reading it yet. I'm very glad I listened to it instead of trying to read it. For one thing, how could I begin to pronounce so many Greek names? If you have started reading the book and put it down, try reading it by following along with this audio book. The audio book is abridged, but it is 13 hours long so I'm sure you would have a lot of text to follow along with.

If you think you know the story of the Odyssey because you've seen a movie based on the story, I will say the story by Homer is much grander and more full bodied than what has been depicted in movies. I'd go so far as to say the movies miss the real point of the Odyssey.

Robert Fagles has also translated the Aeneid and the Iliad. I've listened to those on audio CD as well and liked them all. I am a big fan of Derek Jacobi, who narrated the Iliad. I liked the Odyssey best of all.

Really liked this, the reading was outstanding and great translation by Robert Fagles. My son really enjoyed listening to it on a long road trip after plus it added to his understanding while he was reading it for English Class. I highly recommend this product.

For thousands of years this story has been told and retold.
The reason this story is still being told and still being heard is because it is so exciting and so very compelling.
It never grows old.
I have read and enjoyed this story from a leather bound book, but it is best heard spoken from a human voice. Ian McKellen is qualified as a modern day bard.

Unlike most movies and books of today, once will not be enough.
Those who listen to it will not be disappointed.

I'll not waste any time of yours with long and deserving praise for this telling of an ancient story, other than to say that should another day pass where you have stolen from yourself the opportunity to listen to this master storyteller lead you through a story written by a master, then only the Gods can forgive you.

Sir Ian Mckellan's performance is measured and beautiful, and there is no shame in a tear falling at the meeting of father and son for the emotion that comes through this practiced orator. I can say with a fair amount of confidence that the bards of old must have sounded like this - masters of their craft and able to bring the imaginations of their audience to life.

Not a moment longer - a treat awaits you...

Junie B is a riot. Having most of the books already, this is the perfect companion so we can follow along with the story as its being read.

I had to kick myself when this arrived as it was the audio set and not the books. I went back and read the description again and sure enough it was there, but I found it very misleading that they didn't show a picture of CD's but something more representative of a book. I actually didn't go through the hassle of sending it back but went out and purchased the books and gave the recipient both, which of course cost me double what I had planned for.

We bought the entire Junie B book collection when we were on holiday in the States last year as they are very difficult to buy in Australia. It was so exciting to find that they were available on cd! Lana Quintal reads them so, so well. My two kids (aged 6 and 8) love them so much that we've had to stop them listening to them at bedtime (which was why we bought them!) as they weren't getting to sleep! Too busy listening (and giggling!). The only slightly annoying thing is that you have to change cd's half way through stories. Not a big thing, just a little inconvenient is all. We have a 10 hour car trip coming up in a few weeks, and I know that we are going to be relying heavily on these to keep us sane!

A huge hit with my son--he loves to listen to these books as he goes to sleep at night. A fantastic deal.

We love Junie B. Jones audio books! The narrator is awesome--we can't read the stories like she can. Our entire family cracks up as we listen together. I would recommend these audio books to anyone, our boys love them.

This book is an essential Daily Reference. The chapters are broken down into concise explanations with Action points to improve a particular aspect of your own Success Formula. Each section has a Specific goal to prepare you for Success. Fundamentals, Transformation, Team, Relationships, Money and more. This book does not read like a self-help tome that you have to read all the way through to get anything out of it. Rather, the five page chapters can be reread while you're drinking coffee, waiting in line during an errand, etc, In that way, you can integrate these elements into your daily routine to give greater power to your efforts.

Great set of CDs, which allow a great discussion on the success principles... well done Jack Canfield.

I found this book by accident and what a happy accident it was! At that time I was in a crappy relationship feeling as if I was just keeping my head afloat with work, life, my daughter and the lot of it. As a single parent it's easy to give into the most convenient path and feeling like a martyr to boot.

I had many dreams that I shelved or discarded because I was told (or told myself) they were unrealistic or that I didn't have the time or the money. The chief principle I learned from this book is that if you want it enough, you can make it happen! You are the only one that can.

Since reading this book in January (it's now Sept), I am now on my way to earning my degree by enrolling in school, I've increased my income by 20%!, received a promotion, lost 30 pounds, broke off that dead-end relationship, cleaned and organized my house, became vegetarian, and feel empowered! There are many more smaller goals that I've achieved as well. I'm just amazed at how productive I am.

The best part is that I now believe it's possible to achieve my dreams no matter what anyone says or what the cost is. I see now that all it takes is belief, willpower, and action. I wouldn't be 30 lbs lighter if I didn't find the time by waking up at 5am every morning to exercise. I wouldn't be on the path to my degree if I didn't enroll and schedule in the time for courses. I would still be waiting for the day...

Other people have achieved their dreams, it's our turn! If they can do it, so can we. This is what Jack Canfield has ignited in my heart and I am so grateful for this book. It has given me solid principles and techniques on how to go about making effective change in my life. If I could bring one book to a desert island, this would be it.

Since then I have given several copies to others because I feel it's such a great gift.

I wish you all the best but more importantly, I wish you the happiness of making your dreams a reality.

As a corporate director of HR for a fortune 500 company, I am continually searching for material I can share with the management staff. This book was an excellent fit in our learning resources center.

While achieving success is rarely accomplished with shortcuts, this guide provides what I believe are important guideposts that will keep you on the right trail. Many people fail to achieve success because they leave the trail for other pursuits.

It is really surprising in the business world at the number of people who really do not know what they are trying to achieve. Indeed, I would dare to say that most people don't have a clue as to where they are going. They are simply meandering down the path hoping for few problems and a warm place to sleep at night.

This book stresses the importance of people deciding what they really, really want to do in life. My only negative critique is that the book seems to define success in financial terms (which is par for the consumer American nation). As the wiser amoung us know, success takes many forms of which money is only a small part.

I enjoyed the book and intend to share the wisdom therein with other managerial types within my organization. I believe the advice is solid and obviously, the author is "qualified" if for no other reason that his huge publishing success.

I hope you find this review helpful. Michael L. Gooch, SPHR - Author of Wingtips with Spurs

I have never written a book review EVER. But this was the best self-help motivational book ever and I have read dozens and dozens. this is the first and last inspirational book you will ever need.

this will boost your well being, i listen to it about three times a week and now finding strange things happening to change my life,
I know why i have changed my thinking habits i listen to my thoughs more since readings listening to this and reading a book
[the calling of your true self] both these have learnt me that our thoughts are us,we make ourselves, who we are, through thought;; amazing cd and book

Love it!! Everybody should get it, I listen to it everyday while in my studio creating for my website

This CD provides you information that guides you on how to create your dreams become a reality. The words in this CD have inspired me to change. I have created prosperity in my life like I had never imagined and experienced before. Only you can make change happen. Attitude is the difference maker.

As always, Louise brings her warmth and compassion to human and spiritual issues in a manner that propels her readers/listeners forward. Through this live audience experience, you will find a way to connect to almost every scenario that comes up. Wonderfully done!

I really like Louise Hay. I have the book I can do it. I thought the information was pretty much the same information but on a different forum. The information is still good but I guess I should have know it was the same basic information.

Probably the best management and personnel development tool around! Four staff members were each given a copy to read and to follow the instructions for getting an analysis. Each was asked to bring the analysis for their annual job review. They expected the typical "this is good and that is bad" comments but found that when they reviewed their positive traits they were asked "how can you apply that in your job?" Ar real morale and performance builder.

[As a corporate human resources director, I often work on developing the latent talents and skills of various managers. Years ago, I taught a class where I had each participant to look into a hand-held mirror and ask the question, "Would you want to work for this person?"

This book takes this exercise to a completely different level. To discover your own inner strengths (and weakness) ensures that you will become the very best manager possible. As a fan of First, Break All the Rules, I was very satisfied that this follow-up was as timely and useful as the first book. I highly recommend you purchase a copy of this book for yourself and for all of your managers. Michael L. Gooch, SPHR Author of
[ASIN:1897326882 Wingtips with Spurs]]

Nice concept that could have been handled with a 10 page paper. Clearly authors had to have some volume to prove value so they drone on and on and on. Very tedious reading. Then at every turn they continue to try to sell other products or services. The major killer is having an online exam to evalute your strengths; however, the code is only good once - so DON'T buy a used book as your code will be invalid. If the exam is a work related exercise, you'll be forced to buy a new book just for the code. Also, DON'T let your spouse read the book. If you do, they'll want to take the exam and suprise suprise, you would need another new book just to take the test.

The book is very interesting and very effective. The internet test is very accurate. Nevertheless each strength profile should be discussed more in depth. Let's say you get an idea of who you are but you would like to get more of it. Anyway, the price is worth the stuff you find in the book!

I think the subject of the book is good, however a big part of dicovering your strengths is taking the on line strength finder quiz. Unfortunatley for me the code provided on the inside of the jacket is either invalid or has been used by someone already.
So as I read this book I will be left to wonder "what are my strengths..."

My grandchildren love this story! The larger format board book is very colorful and easy for little hands to manage. I found it a real bonus to hear the author, Eric Carle, read his own work and the kids can listen and read along.

My boys and I listen to this in the car; they beg me to leave the car turned on "just a little longer" once we arrive at our destination so that we can finish a chapter. Jim Weise is our favorite narrarator, and we are learning all kinds of history. MUST have for all children.

I am so glad I bought this! My 7 year old daughter had a hard time paying attention to the subject matter....she prefers more pictures. She enjoys the audiobook and follows along with her book. I am free to do housework and can still enjoy the story of the world...you moms know about multitasking! I would highly recommend this. The storyteller keeps it interesting.

We really enjoy using the CDs with the books. Keep in mind, however, that the CDs don't include the illustrations that are in the books. These make a great supplement, but I wouldn't use them to REPLACE the books.