change Books

I am, and always have been, fascinated by the brain, and the plasticity of the brain is nothing new. This idea has come up in many books about the brain over the past several years, and is pretty much common knowledge. I find the author contradicts himself in several places, making the point of the plasticity of the brain in one part, then stating the old behaviorists' mantra, basically, you are the product of your upbringing (I think this is contradictory because people are flexible enough to become the person they choose to become, not that they are destined to become something because they had a bad childhood). I'm halfway through the book, and it seems to me the author has the goal of pushing Fast ForWord and the products from Posit Science. With a little research, one can find both companies were founded by Dr. Merzenich, and they are very costly. The Fast ForWord program is only available to schools for a hefty sum, and the brain exercises by Posit Science cost $400 for one user (that was the least expensive version). If people suffering from autism, Asberger's, and other spectrum disorders, could be helped by these kinds of programs, don't you think they would be made more affordable in order to help as many families as possible? I think the book, The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force, sums it up (although unintentionally)on page 234: "...the month after the Science publication (in 1996), Merzenich (et al)...raised enough private financing to form Scientific Learning Corp., the first company dedicated to making money from neuroplasticity." Merzenich-and his research and products- is nearly the main focus of the book. That is why I think this book is just another sales pitch for a high-priced program. Apparently only the wealthy should be helped, perhaps? Or maybe this is another way to prey on the fears of the elderly, those who fear dementia.

As a special education teacher this book has been an amazing eye-opener to helping anyone learn new skills, especially adults. But teaching learning disabled students and otherwise impaired children brings a lot of insight into what this book is all about. I loved it and plan to reread it, taking notes as I go. There is a lot that can be done, clearly, and we can never think that someone is limited in what he can learn.

02/Aug/2008

Now, this is marvellous book - relevant and interesting to me in my work as a professional Coach & Supervisor since 1985 ... It's a real must read :-) !

Claus B. Hansen

Psychiatrist Norman Doidge describes some of the recent advances in neuroscience related to the subject of neuroplasticity. He discusses work by several researchers and clinicians such as A. V. Ramachandran, Alvaro Pascual-Leone, and others who have discovered some of the ways the brain re-wires itself, generates new connections, adapts to change, and establishes entrenched habits.

Sensitive people might wish to be informed that there are a few descriptions of physical and sexual violence.

Several topics of direct, practical use, include the following:
-- effective methods for brain rejuvenation
-- the use of visualization to improve actual performance
-- some ways to by-pass and re-wire the connections which are associated with entrenched habits

Fascinating and useful.

You think not? I am a physician injured in Iraq and suffering from TBI-traumatic brain injury. I cannot practice medicine now, even though I can write and think, I cannot multi-task. So, The US Army tries outdated 'therapy' that is geared for perhaps a high school education and not applying nor helping my problems at all. Enter this book. The Posit Science website (among many listed in this book) has learning programs to rebuild deficits. So, I went, asked, and now will start this therapy as they donated the program to an Army psychologist here. So all those reviewers who think this is a commercial-infomercial book can kiss mine, as they are actively trying to HELP. Those professionals locked into the hard-wired brain theories had taken my hope away; this book has opened up my horizons to HEAL--as I always believed I WAS capable. The other reviews tell all about whats in it, so just BUY it and help someone you know who has all but given up improving their mental capacity or physical disability! This book is a GIFT to the world. PERIOD. Worth the cheap price tenfold.

I have gained so much information about menopause from this book. Christiane is wonderful at telling it like it is and I am so grateful for that. We can do so much to take charge of our own lives and this book gives all the angles, from homeopathy to medicine/drugs and learning to trust our instincts. Women need to begin by taking real care of themselves and everything else falls into place. If you have questions about menopause READ THIS BOOK! And live it's message.

The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing during the Change (2nd ed.)
By Christine Northrup, M.D.

Written as only a woman could write about the complexities of going through menopause, Christine brings her vast conventional knowledge into a perfect relationship with complementary medicine. She sees menopause as an opportunity for creating emotional and physical health by addressing the symptoms along with their emotional counterparts. Christine guides you step by step in easy-to-understand language by helping you find your own body wisdom. Christine Northrup is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with more than 25 years of experience and past president of the American Holistic Medical Association. She has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, The View, and Good Morning America.

Dhara Lemos, Lotus Guide Magazine (www.lotusguide.com)

I thank God for this book. I have been reading books for 10 years trying to find the answers to what is happening to me. This book is for women who not only want to know but want to know how to respond and help get through it with sanity intact. This is THE best resource. Men just don't get it. I'm sorry, but no male doctor book has the depth and understanding this female doctor has. It is worth so much more than the price....it's priceless.

This book isn't what I was expected. I expected to learn more about the stages before menopause, and I did, but I didn't expect to read something that, in some ways, was depressing. The author explains her life and how menopause affected her when she didn't realize it, causing her marriage to fail. But with me, this is the happiest time of my life with a new marriage. It's hard to read the depressing divorce stories while my marriage is happy and a new beginning on life.

I was very disappointed with this book. I was looking for a book that discussed the body changes with menopause. Instead I got a book that was very pro divorce. It was interspearsed everywhere throughout the book. Very sad that alot of people might read this book because the author is well known and they will be encouraged to drop everything and think only of themselves at the expense of their families, especially their children. I ended up throwing the book in the garbage can.

The current verson of this reference is highly recommended. It seems like they have kept doing what they do best - helping you think through your career direction, organize your approach to improving that situation, and pointing you in the direction of resources. Get a new copy. It is a great investment.

This book is truly a lifesaver, and it's updated every year. I have not had to look for a job in 20 years, and didn't truly know how to write a professional resume. Not only did I learn alot about writing resumes but I also learned alot about myself! This is a book I will keep close at hand always. I love it!

For those unsure of what lies ahead, this book is the perfect must-read. It will guide you through the voyage of self-discovery to assist you in choosing the career/work environment that best fits your personality. What could be better than finding a career you love?

My husband was laid off when the company he had worked for was acquired. My husband has very little experience with job hunting. I work as a Staffing recruiter so none of the information in here was news to me, but after my husband went through a month of disheartening job hunting... I ordered him this book. Sometimes it's just better to hear what you need to do from something or someone other than your wife.

As a recruiter I love this book, it goes into the concept of job hunting, interviewing, and how to decided exactly what it is you want to do. If everyone behaved as instructed in here during their interviews, interviewing candidates would not be such a harrowing experience. Many will read the interviewing part and thing "Duh, of COURSE I shower before an interview" but you would be surprised at how many do not.

The foundation of the education you will get in this book is basic social skills... now we all have them, but many of us have let them lapse or become less formal. I was also glad that he pointed out just how important and unimportant the resume is. I personally rifle through a couple of hundred resumes in a stack looking for something very specific - if I find it, you go in the very small, "I'll think about calling them later" pile. That is really the most important job your resume has, is to get you into the "I might call them pile."

There are also many self awareness tests that this book contains to help you find out a little bit more about yourself and what it is that you are looking for. There is an entire chapter devoted to the 50+ worker who either wants to return to the work force or make a change in their career. The starting your own business section was also nice, but I felt should have contained a little more information showing both the good and bad aspects of this idea. Probably the most helpful aspect of this book is that it provides websites for additional research on every topic. Hopefully those that read the book will be inclined to look into several of these websites.

For job hunters, career changers, and those curious about what else might be out there, this book is an excellent starting place. It should cover most of you basic questions and give you valuable information both about yourself and about the job market. Then the author is courteous enough to show you where to continue your research. I highly recommend this book, and believe it should be mandatory for exiting high school and college students.

I don't understand why this book is considered such a classic reference. I found it badly written, not that useful, and WAY too religious. The chapter about how to determine your true mission in life is ALL about God and religion. You may agree or disagree with the author's religious views, but regardless I do not think that belongs in a job-hunting book. As a disillusioned corporate worker trying to change careers, I really needed practical, real-world advice.

The book seems to written for ADD people because it keeps repeating the same things only a couple of pages later. Also, some of his advice I disagree with - he keeps saying that the Internet is not a good way to get a job. What century is he living in?? I have gotten almost all my jobs over the last 12 years through applying over the Internet (Monster, CareerBuilder, etc.)

It has a few listings of sites that may be useful, but the book overall was a waste. Unless you want to bring it to your Bible study group.

Nutshell review - A good insight and explanation of how trust amongst colleagues, friends, and family can have positive impact on performance. Suffers from the usual page-filling case-studies to make the requisite number of pages for a book.

Clear. Compelling.

This made me realize that my company was dysfunctional due to a clear lack of trust along the lines of the organization. One chart in this book very clearly identified the behaviors and patterns that were a result of the level of mis-trust. I immediately re-directed my energies into building trust-worthy professional relationships with my most-respected co-workers, while explaining the motivation and purpose of my actions. When I left the company, the professional and personal relationships that had the foundation of trust endured.

On my way out, I dropped my copy of this book on my boss' desk. He was a untrustworthy manipulator and it was freeing to make that realization.

As a software startup oriented around managing people's expenses, trust is what can only be considered table stakes. Steven Covey has clearly identified what it takes to build trust. Sure, it might be things we all know but what helped me is that it identified the stages necessary to building it. I've included more about his book here, check out [...]

every entrepreneur must read this book if he or she wants to be successful. We use this book in our retreat as a main theam of teh retreat.
Thanks Mr. Covey

Great book that can help people get to the bottom of things. If we can't trust each other we both lose! Applies to your company's relationships to your customers and to your vendors as well! Great read and even better information!

My former boss presented this book to me in Audio-book format. The Audio book is read by the authors themselves. Not only do the authors provide valuable insights, but they deliver the message very well.

This book explains Execution is a specific set of behaviors and techniques that companies need to master in order to have competitive advantage. It is targeted to CEO's and executive managers and a definite must-read for CEO's and their coaches and advisers. For the rest of us mortals, it makes an excellent read, especially the real world examples that they provided. I wish they had provided more such examples. It is about following through as a leader providing different thought processes on how to lead and more importantly, how to make sure you get the job done!

The main message is that in order to execute the strategies that they develop, companies have to integrate their people, strategy and processes. Without proper execution, even the best strategies fail. The hardware (strategy and structure) is inert without the software (beliefs and behaviors).

The point which hit a home run with me was: A job no Leader should delegate which is having the Right People in the Right Roles. This is so true and so common sense and yet it is most often delegated to other departments or heavily focused on certifications, quantity (number of years) vs quality of experience. An organization's human beings are by far its most reliable resource for generating excellent results year after year. Their judgments, experiences, and capabilities make the difference between success and failure. The quality of their people is the best competitive differentiator. While okay to use assessment scores and certifications to validate capabilities, an organization must also identify weaknesses for improvement, streamline training and create career milestones. Then measure progress toward attaining and exceeding corporate goals.

Recommended for anyone in a Leadership role, especially if you're managing people in your organization.

This book does a great job of helping a leader see the importance of staying disciplined enough to stay in the game, particularly with his or her people. I recommend this book for all organizational leaders - regardless of the position on the ladder.

I have shared this book with dozens of co-workers and employees at work. This is an outstanding roadmap for those who want to achieve greater results at work.

Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan are clearly sharp guys. I do agree with some of the other reviewers in that, at times, this book can be dry - and even redundant. But it's also full of straight talk and examples of strategies used by prominent and not-so-prominent leaders. Overall, very interesting stuff that will make you think twice about your actions.

Execution is a must read for all Executives. So many in management have trouble making decisions for fear of the Old Boy Network politics. Larry Bossidy would have none of that, and changed out his Executive staff until he had one's who would EXECUTE!

Anything by Dr. Dyer is worth purchasing. His books are easy to read and contain so much wisdom for going through life through the chaos that surrounds us without letting that chaos enter and destroy our own "space". I bought this book for my significant other, a person who tends to be a worrier and live in chaos, and the change in his calmness and ability to let others' chaos flow around him without letting it affect him has been a wonderful blessing.

This book has changed everything and every thought I now have. I read a verse each night and then the same one the next morning. Each day I am amazed at differences I now see in myself and in the "world of the ten thousand things".
Dr. Dyer has the insight to explain this 2500 year old work in a way that let's the reader relate to their modern everyday life.
When I get to the end I will begin again. Always returning to the beginning...

i have read and loved everything Wayne Dyer has written. But this book was a great disappointment. His other works felt inspired. His other books flow in his writing style and what he has to say. This felt forced. For me it just didn't work. Maybe the subject of the Tao is best left alone and not to be interpreted. I can't get through it. It almost seems "immature" in its writing.

Dr Dyer has once again proven his ability to bring our lives into profound harmony, and our spiritual journey into crystal clear focus. For those of us seeking spiritual truth or enlightenment there is no better life coach than Dr. Dyer. This book is a comfortable and mind opening read. I give it five stars plus!

Tom Acierno
Author - A Whisper In God's Ear

You know, I'll admit it's fun to read, (I enjoy thought provoking anything) but at the same time you kinda wanna tear the cover off so that nobody catches you reading Wayne Dyer. Books on enlightenment are almost as socially incriminating as self-help... but we love it, don't we?
(As though some fellow wearing a grass hat 2500 years ago had some secret knowledge or insight that you need.)
However, and by contrast, to recognize that, what were pearls of wisdom for people on the other side of the planet, centuries ago, are still gems of thought for those of us here today, is certainly evidence of something. Even if it's only evidence of, "Oh, I guess that existential hole in my understanding is common to all people, throughout time!"
Anyway, Dr. Dyer is an accomplished and respected writer, and he delivers a good look at this material, and it's enjoyable to read, and ponder, and you know... one day you'll recognize that you'll always feel as you do, but that's OK, because everyone else feels that way too.
If you're at all interested in or curious about the Tao, this is an excellent book. I'm glad I bought it.

this is a very good book, because it can educate everyone about the importance of the respect of other poeple with a different culture.It's also very easy to be read and contemporary.

I agree that this book was written retrospectively because I was confused by Ms. Gruwell's introduction myself. I read it more than once because I was sure I had missed something. She clearly wrote it beyond the original point she claims to have written it.

After reading only two of the first "Diary" entries I had to stop and check through the book to see who was responsible for adapting because to me the editing felt like over kill and took away from the natural flow of what were most likely compelling narrations at some point. To me it felt unnatural and contrived -- yes the stories were heart breaking, but I felt like I was getting the stories through the eyes of say a Diane Sawyer or a Lisa Ling report instead of through the eyes of the 14 old CHILDREN that had been through it.

Being a writer means finding your own voice. A big red flag went up for me when all of the entries were written in the same exact voice. The beginning entries were supposed to be private thoughts of FRESHMEN remedial students, but in no way was that reflected in the entries. You would be hard pressed to find a COLLEGE freshman these days with the vocabulary required for the entries.

Even if the student hadn't been remedial students the writing was so unbelievable! There is no way to convince me that any freshman in any academic level would chose the words and expressions to describe thier personal lives that were used in the entries. The editing did a huge disservice to the kids.

Through out the entire book, I found myself mumbling, "Yeah, right" and "What kid talks like this?" under my breath.

Of course we all picked up the book out of curiosity and admiration, but lets face it-- we also wondered about the authenticity. That is what hooks the reader from the start, draws you in and keeps you engaged. That is what shines more light on the cause.

To those of you who will figure this in bias to "inner city kids" save your breath because I was one. Also, I wanted to identify with the kids, but oddly enough, even though the subject matter is real and gritty, it feels forced and I dare say flowery. It seems they left in the four letter words for shock value, but took out the rawness, which as a reader I am much more interested in.

Although I was a little disappointed by writing style; I applaud and support the students and Ms. Gruwell and will continue to follow news about the Freedom Writer's Organization, but I must admit I was very much looking forward to settling in for an captivating read and I feel let down.

I also have a very difficult time believing that the projects the students discussed in their entries took place all in one school year let alone in one semester. You figure each class is less than an hour long there simply isn't enough time in a curriculum for it to hold true.

(Also, the movie is supposed to be an honest depiction of the book and there were entries that somewhat resembled some of the journal entries that were read aloud to narrate the movie, but the outcomes of the entries in the movie were completely different than ones in the book. So which is true the harsher stories read in the movie or the moralistic entries from the book?)

This book, the freedom writers diary, is one not to forget. Throughout the book they mention what they call the 'undeclared war', this is supposed to describe the gang violence and discrimination of Long Beach, CA. This book is wonderful and inspiring novel that will hit you emotionally. It is a definite page-turner

The novel The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them is an exceptional book detailing the extraordinary things that a teacher and her class managed to accomplish in four years of high school. The novel is a collaborative effort between a teacher, Erin Gruwell, and her 150 students. The novel takes place over a four year period, the four years of high school for these students from the fall of 1994 to the spring of 1998. The students decide to name themselves The Freedom Writers as an allusion to the Freedom Riders, a group of black and white people who rode a bus together as one from the north to the south during the civil rights movement as an act of peaceful protest.
The novel can be read and enjoyed by anyone. It was written to show that anything is possible to accomplish despite the hardships and obstacles that may be forced upon us. Furthermore, the novel aims to promote harmony and friendship among all humans no matter what their race or backgrounds. The students and Ms. Gruwell all go through highs and lows. They experience moments of greatness and moments where they feel insignificant. They all must find a way to get over this, while also dealing with scrutiny from their peers, the community around them, and even other teachers at the school.
However despite the overwhelming odds against them, these students achieve something unbelievable. The novel is broken into semesters and as a reader, we can see the progression of these students. In the first semester the students have no faith in their teacher or themselves. In the very first diary entry a student writes, "I always thought `odd' was a three-letter word; but today I found out it has seven, and they spell G-R-U-W-E-L-L. My freshman English teacher is way out there...The administrators should have known better that to giver her this class, but I guess she didn't know any better than to take it. How is she going to handle four classes full of this school's rejects?". The students dislike their teacher and they dislike her ideas that they can actually make something of themselves. They do not agree with her argument that anything is possible and that they can overcome their differences and accomplish something together.
Over the years Ms. Gruwell manages to change the student's perspectives through projects and literature. They read many selections to which they can personally relate, including Romeo & Juliet, The Diary of Anne Frank, Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo, and The Color Purple among others. Through their efforts the students are allowed to meet many other extraordinary people including Zlata, the author of Zlata's Diary, and Miep Gies, the amazing woman responsible for hiding Anne Frank and her family and also the person who discovered Anne's diary and shared it with the world. From hearing these stories the students begin to believe what Ms. Gruwell has been trying to convey to them.
Eventually the students start to connect to one another. One student writes about her friendship, "...yet I can't even go to a movie with my friend because she's white. Why does that matter any more? I thought we were in a new era and were getting over the race issue?". These students begin to question the ideas that cross-racial friendships and relationships are wrong. They don't see what the big deal is. The students even cross gender lines. While peer editing, a male student reads a diary entry about a girl who had to get an abortion and can empathize with her because his girlfriend had gotten an abortion and he saw what she went through. He even writes an encouraging note to the author telling her "I feel your pain--you're not alone!".
Following these students through their high school years we can see the amazing transformations they go through. They not only believe that they can accomplish the unbelievable, they actually do. I believe these passages, and the subsequent success of the novel, are proof of the author's validity. The original arguments made by Ms. Gruwell hold true in the end and the students accomplish remarkable things and destroy the stereotypes and restrictions that society has placed on them.
I would recommend this novel to anyone. It is great for students because it can help them through the difficult times faced in school. It is great for teachers because it shows what a teacher can accomplish if he or she does not give up and sticks to a dream. It is great for anyone else because it shares remarkable, true stories of ordinary people accomplishing the extraordinary.

After seeing to movie and feeling moved to learn more about this group of writers, I purchased this book. As with the movie, there are some harsh realities brought to light, but it's a good read. Having grown up in a relatively easy-going community in very white America, I felt it was a good experience to see that things are not so easy for MANY kids. Now that I'm raising my own kids I feel it's important for them, also to gain a bit of perspective. This is really an important piece of literature...thanks to those who brought it to the public.

I bought this book looking for an accurate, scientifically based review of global warming from someone who is not in favor of it. As an MD, MS (Physical Chemistry), PhD (Biochemistry), and former University Professor who has relied on the National Institutes of Health for funding, I have the ability to understand the science, and am not ignorant of what he speaks. First of all, there is almost no data in the book, only opinions. Secondly, it clearly has a political agenda much more than a scientific agenda. It diverges into Intelligent Design, Control of the world by the UN, etc., and paints a frequently inaccurate picture. By no means does he stick to Climatology. While he does have some valid points worth thinking about, you basically have to be an expert to figure out which ones these are. He mocks the scientific system, and while some of his points are true, his approach is a little like mocking the US Postal Service because it is not perfect. However, the great majority of your mail gets to you everyday with relatively few errors. He makes it sound like the US scientific system should be dismantled. Remember as well, that this is not just the American system working on this problem.
There are some issues in science that take a while to work out. For instance, one of the classics was the battle between Edward Teller and Robert Oppenheimer shortly after WWII regarding whether the "H-Bomb" was theoretically possible. In this case, you had probably ten of the smartest people on the planet who couldn't agree for years, although in the end, the scientific process came through, and obviously, the "H-bomb" was possible. I would hate to have had to take sides on that one half way through.
The scientific process is at work on global warming, and while I don't think the answer is clear, the great bulk of the evidence supports, rather than denies, the truth of global warming.
What I was hoping for with this book was an objective treatment of the topic by someone with expertise in the area.
What I think has happened here is that Dr. Spencer has used his position and titles as a springboard for his political views, not his scientific expertise. Unfortunately, for the lay person, this probably looks like a good book, but only if you believe all of his statements because of his titles. Unfortunately, Global Warming is so complex that unless you have a deep scientific background, you really cannot analyze it yourself, but must rely on the opinions of others. Even those of us with the background to understand the science can read about it for days and still not come to a conclusion. I wouldn't place too much weight on this book at the present time. Are there "low quality" books that are "Pro-Global Warming"? Absolutely. There is definitely some "silly science" supporting global warming. They just prove the point that when politics get involved in science, it's usually bad for the science. Therefore I will continue my search for books against global warming that actually are based on science. Not enough room to cover all the details here, but this was a major dissappointment, and I hope that not too many people will use it to define their thinking regarding global warming.

Dr. Spencer is an award-winning scientist. He uses his intelligence to challenge a number of widely accepted scientific theories, including global warming and evolution.

From Wikipedia:

Intelligent design, Spencer wrote in 2005, "Twenty years ago, as a PhD scientist, I intensely studied the evolution versus intelligent design controversy for about two years. And finally, despite my previous acceptance of evolutionary theory as 'fact,' I came to the realization that intelligent design, as a theory of origins, is no more religious, and no less scientific, than evolutionism. . . . In the scientific community, I am not alone. There are many fine books out there on the subject. Curiously, most of the books are written by scientists who lost faith in evolution as adults, after they learned how to apply the analytical tools they were taught in college."

James Hansen, a climate scientist at NASA, where the author of this book also worked in climate science, famously told a Congressional committee that global warming skeptics should be charged with crimes against humanity. I know nothing about the legal merits of such a charge, but it's clear that Dr. Hansen has much too much emotional investment in a particular viewpoint to ever be capable of doing unbiased science in the field. Good science is impossible where emotions rule. Perhaps Dr. Hansen had Dr. Spenser specifically in mind when he made that statement, and one can only imagine the cross agency resentments that must of boiled along for years, Dr. Hansen screaming incessantly about global warming to whatever reporters would listen and Dr. Spenser calmly dismissing it as a crisis problem, not nearly as bad as Hansen was saying according to Spenser's satellite data. The whole specter of two senior scientists in a field in the same agency charged with doing essentially the same thing -- measuring global temperatures --who held very different views of a key question ought to put a stake right through the heart of the idea that there is any scientific consensus on global warming.

Dr. Spenser does a good job of explaining how politics and human nature work to produce and sustain global warming hysteria. I would have preferred that he spend some time taking the government controlled system of research funding to task for its role in creating this monster. Far from just providing scientists with a meal ticket, this hysteria threatens to destroy our economic well being with oppressive environmental regulation. Perhaps it's time that the environmentalist bureaucracy is charged with crimes against humanity for attempting to appropriate resources needed to address real problems in effective ways. The NASA bureaucracy wants to take over the whole world, it would seem, or at least share it with the UN climate agency.

In any case, as one might surmise, the book spends considerable time where the action really is -- not in science but in politics. The science is not difficult to summarize briefly: we just don't know about future climate and we have no reliable way to predict it. What's harder to explain is how this state of affairs translates to the political situation we find ourselves in, and Spenser does a fine job of explaining that in a tone of detached bemusement, reassuring us that this is the fellow unbiased enough to give us the straight scoop.

It troubles me that fellow educators will only smile condescendingly at your invitation to have them watch a video, show them what you're reading. Especially say science teachers. In my own field, if someone handed me a book that might challenge some grand notion, or present some new idea ...I would feel some obligation (if I haven't read much from that position already) to become acquainted with what the other views or new idea is saying. What has become of education that no longer obligates itself so? How can we be so disinterested in our own areas of study? The free exchange of ideas stops with prejudice and ego, and so does arriving at a balance of knowing truth.

This is an excellent book that should get into as many hands as possible. I've seen the video, "The Great Global Warming Swindle" and Spencer's book brings a balance to what scientists are saying in that video as well. Intriguing to say the least to come to a better layman's understanding of the complex intricacies of what makes weather, how the earth like a living system compensates. The statistic alone of man adding one molecule of CO2 to every 100,000 molecules of air every five years...plus the complexities of a full understanding of climatology sure puts it clear to see how this has become a faith issue, with a religious fervor...that is very agenda driven, and for something other than truth! Considering politicians are deciding where YOUR tax dollars and future is heading under the guise of the Global Warming mantra, I highly recommend this book!!!

Endorsed by both MIT Climate Scientist Richard Lindzen and laissez-faire economist Walter E. Williams, this book is another great addition to the growing number of books that debunking the catastrophic anthropogenic global warming hysteria. This book is *not* written by a conservative who denies the existence of global warming for political convenience.

I think the main attributes of this book that make it worth reading in addition to other leading books on this topic (e.g., Bjorn Lomborg's books and the Singer-Avery book) are as follows:

* The author is a climatologist who has included two, clearly written, chapters on how the weather works.

* The author values laissez-faire economics. Specifically, he cites his appreciation for the ideas of Fredrich Hayek and Julian Simon on numerous occasions.

* This is one of the most recent books. This is especially important, since the view that cosmic rays are largely the driving force behind climate change is relatively new (for more information see The Chilling Stars by Henrik Svensmark and Nigel Calder), and is not discussed in several relatively recent books such as Bjorn Lomborg's The Skeptical Environmentalist.

I highly recommend this book to those who value laissez-faire economics and want a relatively quick, but informative read to separate the facts from fiction in the ongoing global warming debate. Be warned that the author has spliced jokes throughout this book. Although some might find this sophomoric, I perceived that this was not too overdone.

Books like this one are the unfortunate result!
I think this is the second Danielle Steel book I've ever read in my life and I'm pretty certain it will be my last. This novel reads like a 320-page outline of a story idea that the author either lacked the time or the desire to fill in and develop. Characters are never fleshed out -- (which I guess is difficult to do with cardboard). Instead of scenes we get summaries of scenes -- as though any action that might have been remotely interesting took place off stage! And I don't think I've ever read so many cliches in one book. In the end, I cared about none of the characters because the writer gave me nothing to care about! In short it's just a horribly, horribly done book that the author seemed to have written with an indifference that shows no respect for the following that has made her a success and very, very wealthy.When I finished this book I was just pissed that I wasted my time -- and money.And the editor of this mess should be fired.

In the beginning, I agree, the book starts slow. However, it picks up & I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

Max's character and emotions are well established - I would have liked to have seen more of Blake's, "the rushing home" feeling I did not feel that.

In the end - I thought it was typical DS, but not cry your heart out.

This book is so predictable! The very end of the book (I won't give any spoilers) is so nauseatingly predictable, hokey and unrealistic that I just shook my head in wonder. And the only likable character was the housekeeper Zelda.

Another bomb from Danielle Steel.

As stated in other reviews, Steel is once again just filling pages. Over and over and over, she repeats the same things about the characters. It makes the reader wonder if Steel ever reads what she writes??!!

The book is just ok. Nothing dramatic, original or a just-can't-put-it-down read. It is a little better than some of her last 10-15 books. However, the story feels like she has borrowed from her previous books, just nothing special here.

Defintely would NOT buy this book. It is worth reading, but get it at your library for FREE!!!

I've been a fan of Danielle's books for years. I actually met her on the beach in Hawaii in the 1980s, and she was and is a personal delight. "Rogue" continues her seemingly never ending formula for successful romance novels. It may start off a bit on the slow side, but it picks up and roars from then on. A wonderful book and I highly recommend it.

Editor of Michele Cozzens' award winning women's fiction A Line Between Friends

I enjoyed this book. It brings up the issue of the death penalty with a twist or two. I loved the character of Maggie. She seemed to develop most in the story. I loved the way it all played out. I didn't give it 5 stars because of the VERY obvious elements taken (stolen?) from Stephen Kings Green Mile. I mean common. A convicted child murderer performing miricles and making the ultimate sacrifice, the bird, the practice runs. I also felt the story was a bit predictable. No real surprises at the end but I liked the way it was ended. Over all it was a good story and I enjoyed it.

this takeoff on King's much better version was disappointing and aggravating with unbelievable characters and very predictable plot twists. Her one dimensional understanding of an atty or priest's work day was very annoying. Skip this until the cheaper paperback version or borrow from library.

When I read this book I did not get the sense that Picoult was copying Stephen King, but rather taking the issues raised in The Green Mile and giving them a more contemporary twist. At one point she even refers to the book when someone in the prison calls Shay "Green Mile". Just because a story has similiar issues and ideas does not make it a copy. In movies, Clueless is an update of Emma. Practically half of everthing on TV has initials that mean some sort of forensics team. Picoult took some of the issues from what was definitely a supernatural story about redemption (The Green Mile) and explored what would happen if some of them could be explained naturally,( ie the AIDS patient having a few good weeks of remission before he died) Yes, some of her characters and plots can be predictable, but someone somewhere is bound to figure out each twist. For me, the fact that she barely introduced us to the policeman husband foreshadowed that he was not all he was cracked up to be. But her novels always leave you thinking in the end.

The one thing that I do like about Jodi Picoult is that she doesn't have a central character that she uses in all of her books. The bad thing about that is that sometimes her characters aren't always fleshed out. That is the case in this book. Don't get me wrong, I shed a tear reading this book (but I cry at movies too), there was just something there that was missing - can't pinpoint it. In any event, I'd label this book as a good summer or winter read that you'll enjoy while reading, but not remember much of it after about 1 week. Unlike others, I did like the Gnostic Gospel references and the book made me want to explore these texts a little more.

This is another good Jodi Picoult book. I have read most of her novels and enjoy each one for her ability to give us interesting characters and hot-button issues that get us, her readers, to think about things in a new light. This book is no exception.

Shay is a man on death row who is waiting to be executed for the killing of a police officer and his daughter. June, the mother of the child who was killed and now a widow, has another daughter who has serious heart problems. Shay offers to give up his heart once he is executed, however he will need to die by another means and not by lethal injection which is where the lawyer, Maggie, enters into the picture.

One of the interesting concepts in this story is that Shay does not appear to be just another inmate. He seems to be able to perform miracles as in making another inmate's HIV disappear, bringing a bird back to life, etc. Is he truly the Messiah or is this all a scam to try and prolong his life?

This book explores religious themes, relationships between mothers and daughters, the death penalty and what it truly means to have a heart.