change Books

This is a great handbook for those wishing to change jobs or careers. The author explores what school failed to teach us about finding jobs and offers practical suggestions for the entire job search process all the way up to salary negotiation. Some of the advice the author gives is very different that what we have typically been taught and he backs his statements up with specific figures. This book offers suggestions to deal with change in the job market including choosing a new career or starting your own business. The bulk of the book explores the details of finding your dream job. It offers exercises to determine your competencies, priorities, past experiences and helps put it all together. This is a great tool that requires extensive self-evaluation to determine the best job for you.

A traditional and standard text for those considering job and career changes. A little dated,even though it is "updated" regularly. Lots of good reference information, though.

If you want to land your dream job you MUST read this book. It will help you answer questions like: What kind of work will be the most rewarding? How should I begin the job search? What is the proper interview etiquette? And much more.

This should be read by graduating college students looking for their first job and individuals looking for a career change.

I think Richard Bolle's book is great on several levels. First, it asks the reader to think about him/herself in ways people often don't. The book has helped me think about myself more than I ever did before when it comes to my interests and the importance of connecting them to my work life. He also discusses the nature of the working world today and how many people still hold an unrealistic, outdated view of it which holds them back. Bolle's says it like it is. He also includes many insights into the world of work.

The one thing that I did want to address is that I find many people complaining in their reviews,when it comes to the "What Color Is Your Parachute?" books,is that they are full of fluff and there is too few nuggets in and far between. I disagree. I believe that people generally say this because they are on the job search at the moment they buy Bolle's book. They're needing a quick fix, panicking, having needed a job yesterday. If you're looking for a quick fix-it book that will get you a job tomorrow then this book is not for you because you're looking for something that Bolle's isn't offering, a quick way to get a job. This book, if read for the potential it holds and the time it requires, is for the person willing to make the effort to internalize him/herself. The potential reader should be warned that this book does not promise to get you a job instantly, but does include a lot of informative and helpful advice. I think the ideal should be, when it comes to Richard Bolles' book, is to read it when you have the time while you're still working at your current job that you want to change from. This way, you have the time to do the homework and the necessary thinking about yourself while at the same time not feeling pressured to read fast, skim or worse, skip for the sake of trying to find a job in a week or two.

Remember, this is your career we're talking about. It will be well worth the time put into it. Believe me.

I bought this book for my son, a recent college graduate, at his request. He says he has found lots of useful tips and I'll know if it really works when he finds a job!

This is a fantastic book. Not merely a laundry list of good for you food. It tells you why and makes it very interesting.

This book was made into a Discovery Health 6-part series narrated by Mehmet Oz. I only caught two hours of it. It piqued my interest and when I saw there was a book, I had to have it. Even though I don't work as a scientist, I think like one. I have a biology degree from college and I don't just take someone's word on something -- I have to have actual, tangible, written-down proof. The thing I love about this book is the fact that they did actual experiments with "control" groups and groups of human "guinea pigs". They don't just throw information at you; they provide you with the real proof behind the information as well. It's a good read with a lot of great info!

The book "The Truth about Food" is the book presenting the material that could be seen on the TV-series of the same name that was run by the BBC. While the series was mildly funny and informative to some degree, it was "reality TV" with hidden camera's monitoring children's and adults' eating patterns. OK, I don't like reality TV and will now review the book.

Many of us have found ourselves in this situation. You want to live longer, improve your fitness level, improve in your particular sport or want more energy. Changing your diet is often the first step. But where to begin? The girl in the Vitamin Store tells you one thing. The guy in the Reform Food Shop tells you something else. And then there's the instructor in the gym with another opinion. It is a confusing situation and probably always will be, given the fact that new discoveries about food are made every month.

"The Truth About Food" is the ideal start for anyone that would like to change his/her life for the better by adjusting the way he/she eats. The presentation of material is extremely clear. Moreover, they put everything they claim to the (scientific) test. The layout of the books is excellent with important fact in boxes and nice illustrations throughout. Many myths about food fell apart before my eyes while reading the book. The book contains information that can enhance your love life, your sports life, your appearance and the health of your children. No problem if you've missed out on the series, all the information is contained in the book.

Some issues were left out that I would like to have seen addressed: What's the deal with Green Tea? Is milk good or bad for you? What about food supplements? But all in all this is without a doubt one of the best books about food out there. Buy it, read it, use it, and it will change your life.

This book gives reasons and back them up for why certain foods are better than others for your health.

This book is the reader's version of a 6-part TV special on, I believe, the Discovery Channel, each part of the volume reflecting the content of one of those 6 shows. In Jill Fullerton-Smith's words, the book (page 8) "reveals the real science of food using the latest research from leaders in the field of nutrition, alongside original and sometimes groundbreaking experiments that we carried out especially for the series."

The content of the book begins, appropriately enough, with a quick tour of the digestive system. Part I is termed "How to be healthy." Among other topics, it briefly notes the so-called "Evo" or "cave man diet." One nice feature of this book is the boxed material that pithily sums up major points. Page 26 points out the value of a "rainbow diet" (using fruits and vegetables of different colors, as laid out in a table), reducing saturated fat intake, choosing oils rich in monounsaturated fats, selecting unrefined grains, and watching salt intake. Commonly understood, of course, but still useful advice. Key food for the "evo diet": nuts, fruits and vegetables (as per the table just mentioned), and fish. Also important in diet is fiber. Page 39 summarizes top tips. Another representation from Part I is "detox" regimes, foods that help remove toxins from one's system (e.g., stay away from salt, sugar, red meat, soft drinks, etc. and make sure to eat nuts, fruits, and vegetables). Finally, broccoli as a wonder food.

Other parts to the book focus on "How to be slim," "How to feed the kids," "How to be sexy," "How to be the best," and "How to stay young and beautiful." Just a quick example of suggestions from other chapters. How to stay young and beautiful? Eat lots of fruits, berries, and vegetables to keep your brain young; moderate intake of red wine reduces the odds of heart disease; eating tomatoes (and their kin) can help keep skin "younger"; spinach actually appears to help eyesight.

The book concludes with a useful glossary of terms. The book is well written and provides lots of sensible advice. A lot of the suggestions are widely known already (e.g., the value of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables), but the book packages such knowledge nicely and reports results of interesting mini-experiments that illustrate the points being made. Worthwhile for those interested in enhancing the quality of their diet.

Hilariously unique book. Gives you great ideas about life. Not sure I would actually try most of the instructions but it's sure fun to think about what would happen if I did. The illustrations and photography alone are worth getting this book. I consider it one of my nontraditional design references.

This book absolutely dovetails with my ADD like personality. Each things to do is unique. They don't give you cheesy, boring or obvious things to do like go to the movies, learn a language or make a candlelight dinner for your date instead each one is very specific, interactive and guaranteed to bring instant enlightenment or give a jolt of creativity. For instance, consider the one where they tell you that you are legally entitled to buy a unit of an item from a package like you can open a beer from the box and buy it, and encourage you to do so and test shop owner's legal knowledge. Or how about the one where they tell you to collapse Bangladesh's economy? Or if you are an inventive type then how about that one where you invent punctuation marks. Telling you, this book is one of a kind!

This is an interesting little book. It's filled with certain things to do, or objectives for every day of the year. While it probably won't change your life as the title suggests, it will give you some cool ideas. It is the perfect book to leave out on a coffee table or end table in your house and when you have guests over, if they happen to pick it up, it is a guaranteed conversation starter. The pages are all in color and include some interesting graphics. Check it out if you are looking for a strange little book.

Will this book really change your life if you do every task in it over the course of a year? Probably not - for one thing, in the current homeland-security-above-all-else climate in the US, a number of them are likely to get you maced, tazered, or worse.

But. Who among us can't use a push every now and then to break out of the humdrum routine of our daily lives? Some of the less far out suggestions in this thick paperback can certainly do that! I do think it's overpriced, considering you're supposed to tear out some of the pages in order to complete certain "tasks," but for all that, an entertaining read into the farther reaches of "what if."

"This Book Will Change Your Life" may not completely change your life, but just flipping through the pages can still add a little pizazz in your everyday happenings. While the tasks are often extremely goofy--or too out-there to actually complete--I appreciate how it challenges you to live outside the box in small, silly ways: ways that that will make a difference over time or, if anything, make a good story to tell strangers/sinner party guests/your friends/your significant other's parents. (Writing a letter to a mass murderer--as instructed by the book--is a good topic starter/stopper.)

Yes, it's easy to read and the forms look great. In practice, I've found that the flow and logic needs to be more tailored to the client. In some stages the flow seemd awkward, and didn't necessarily work. When you get that "confused look" from your client, and feel it yourself, you'll understand what I mean. I have an MSOD and have practiced 10 years. My sense is that my experience is not totally unique and I could see a revised version in the making.

This is a great practical book on the steps one should take in organization al restructure. The templates are very easy to follow and the language is easy to understand.

It's a good book for the basic understanding of organization design. It's easy to read and easy to follow the concepts and theories. As a Professor I strongly recommend it.

Jay Galbraith is a well-respected, research-based practitioner in the field of Organizational Design. Companies of all sizes and industries have been using the STAR model as a guide to thinking systemically when designing their organizations. I personally have been using this model as an internal OD consultant/practitioner over the last decade. This book's material continues to be very relevant and current for today's leaders. This book should serve as a basic foundation for any OD/HR professional or manager/leader desiring to create a vital, sustainable, reconfigurable, and dynamic organization. What the reader can expect is simplistic language and pragmatic tools and methods. This is a true workbook. If you are sifting through books and don't know where to start...start here!

Easy to read. Great format and approach to the book. Love the designs for how to approach the work at the end of each chapter. A great took as an HR / OD person.

I purchased this book after a close family member announced that he was transsexual. I knew very little about transexualism and was spending hours online looking for any information I could find about it. This book was enormously helpful to me in learning about an experience I knew nothing about. I am encouraging members of my family to also read it as they like me want to understand to the best of our ability how to support our family member. The book is wonderfully organized starting with an explanation of terms (e.g. transsexual, transgendered, transvestite) then moving into a description about what transsexuals typically experience during their lives. Starting from childhood and moving through life stages, the authors provide a thoughtful and thorough explanation of what life often entails for transsexuals. The author's are very clear in saying when experiences are common to men or women, and take every effort to not overly generalize experiences across all transsexuals. The last few chapters of the book provide a helpful overview of the medical procedures some transsexuals choose to do and how and why they may or may not officially change their gender. I wish I could more eloquently describe how thorough and well written this book is but I hope that those reading this review can at least hear in my words how very helpful I have found this book. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand transexualism regardless of whether or not they personally know someone who is.

'True Selves' is a unique and excellent book. The book cover says "For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals".

It is that and so much more. It is a great resource for learning or teaching about trnassexualism. But, it is also a great guide for those who are transgender or transsexual. It covers personal feelings, the feelings of others and also how to transition from coming out to the ultimate step of sexual/gender reassignment surgery. It discusses coming out, hormones, living full-time and covers every aspect of what is means to be transsexual.

I cannot say enough about this book. I would recommend this book be on anyone's list that is transgender or is dealing with a transgender individual.

Gender Bending, Crossdressing, Transsexualism, Shemales, Drag Queens, Female Impersonators, Homosexuals and Lesbians, Transvestites, Intersexed Individuals, and Transgendered Individuals of all flavors are discussed; Terminology is explained in order to reduce confusion. In fact,
Confusion is also covered.

Motivations for crossdressing are discussed, and Sexual Orientation (vs. Gender Identity) is explained. This book reveals and explains many aspects of Transgendered behavior, activities, and Needs (psychological, emotional, physical, etc.). Social Stigma is discussed, and the need of support groups is covered. Many Resources are given at the back of the book (see below).

I recommend True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals to all those who are interested in the subjects, and to those listed in the title, but I strongly recommend this book for ANYONE with "Gender Issues" (Gender Identity problems, worries, desires, confusion, et al.). I truly wish that I would have had this book a long time ago. I had to piece it all together from Nursing books, psychology texts, magazine articles, research, books, long talks with people of various "Alternative" lifestyles, and by experimentation. I even dated a Transsexual, and had long talks with her about these subjects. From everything that I have learned and from everything I learned vicariously through Transsexuals, I highly recommend True Selves as a starting point or as a great resource guide for TG/TS/TV/CD and others who know, are related to, or work with these individuals!

Aside from the fantastic amount of information and quotes from those who have been in therapy (many stories correlated to my experiences as a child, teen, and adult), and the wonderful advice about therapy,
seeking much needed assistance, and finding ways to "cope" then take action to live a better life, this book also contains something I have not encountered previously:

NAMES and ADDRESSES of Organizations which help Transsexuals.

Regardless of whether a person is simply confused, suicidal, MTF, or FTM, transgendered, etc., these resources and organizations are available to help a person remain with us, find help, find therapists, find the right
doctors.... heck, even find Shoes!

This is a list of the Organizations given at the back of the book, and if you purchase the book you will have the Addresses, Phone Numbers, Contact information, and a bonus list of Web Sites so you can access more
valid information without trolling the Internet or logging numerous searches into your work station computer, during break time or lunch.

Not only will you avoid leaving a Tranny Trail on your work PC, but this book gives several good examples of "coming out" letters and information about Transitioning at work; job related issues are explained, in detail. In fact, True Selves also provides sample Feedback from "coming out" letters and strategies for coming out to parents, family, and friends. One idea was very good--impressive--but you can buy the book to discover the idea.

I really believe that most people should read this book, because True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals deflates the ignorant stance of those who would be nasty about such a situation.

Books that I have read in the past discussed a LOT of negativity and
horrible treatment of "Trannies," but this book shows that a tremendous amount of Progress has been made to give Transsexuals basic human rights, and even decent bathroom access. I am quite impressed by how much has
changed since I began researching this subject in the early '90s! It seems that there is not as much to fear as previously reported. The Internet is probably contributing to more enlightened views, but also True Selves shows that those who persevered in the past created a better working environment, better laws, better working conditions, etc.

Overall, True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals is good news for anyone with "Gender Issues," and I personally find the book to be a great relief as I research to figure out personal matters.

Nearly every subject related to Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and the need to be the opposite sex is covered in this book. Anyone involved with Psychology, Sociology, the public, employees, or "Alternative" people should at least peruse this book, but I believe that Transgendered Individuals of all flavors will get the most out of this book. In fact, if anything goes awry with the suggestions in the book (i.e., if ignorance prevails), you can hand this book to the person, and point out a section. Often, if people are forced to see that something is a Medical Condition, their attitude changes. If not....

Here is a list of resources that will be available to you, if you purchase the book;

Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA)

American Educational Gender Information Service (AEGIS)

Gender Education and Advocacy (GEA)

The International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE)

FTM International

Intersex Society of North America (ISNA)

Renaissance Transgender Association, Inc.

Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)

Ingersoll Gender Center

Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC)

Transfamily of Cleveland

TransGender San Francisco

Mermaids

...and a list of websites (with Ph.D credentials, etc.).

For a long while, I had this on my wish list (hidden), but I was concerned about coworkers, friends, and college students seeing my research choices. However I have discovered that most people (even in college) are not that bright, nor worth suppressing your natural inclinations to appease. If you but the book, you can always hide the purchase on your list. ;-) I study Psychology, in college and on my own, and I am very impressed with this book and the way it handles the subjects. This list of resources, alone, is worth the purchase price. Honestly, I wish I would have had this book ten years ago.

Note: True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism--For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals may appear to be only for those listed in the title, but it speaks to the person with Transgender issues, and is definitely written with those individuals in mind. Regardless of where you stand (curious, questioning, Knowing, TS, TV, TG, CD, or whatever the case) this book is a fantastic resource guide and could be a godsend to teenagers or young adults with Gender Identity issues. No matter what age you are, however, this book is written to speak to everyone, and is very respectful to all individuals.

I was going to hi-light the interesting parts for reference, as it turns out ch 1 is now almost all yellow! I have been too busy to complete the entire book but I look forward to reading more. As I skimmed the rest of the book it all looks good.

The author does a good job of providing background information on transexuals and describing the obtacles they face before, during, and after transition. A good read for anyone who has a transexual spouse, family member, friend, or co-worker. Where the book fails is its perpetuation of pigeon hole catagories. Anyone who is not so gender conflicted as to seek either suicide or transition is labled a transvestite and a sexual pervert. The author has not done her homework here. Some find themselves living between the black and white lines of male and female and cross dress to bring the two into balance and not for sexual gratification.

This book presents the theory that cosmic rays can cause the production of low clouds which can, in turn, affect climate. Good evidence is presented in support of the ideas, both in the form of experiments run by the co-author of the book, and summaries of data collected by other scientists. The author of the book also does a good job of anticipating questions that might crop up. Along the way, there are some interesting explanations of things like orbital tracks of the solar system through the galaxy, and previous warming and cooling trends on the planet. Finally, this theory isn't presented as an all-or-nothing choice. The possibility of greenhouse gases also contributing to climate change is admitted.

In spite of the fact that this is an interesting book about the effects of cosmic rays, I have a number of concerns. First of all, this is basically a re-hashing of an old argument about extra-terrestrial factors being responsible for global warming. Many scientists and writers who work on greenhouse-based global warming claim that such factors are not enough to account for the amount of warming we are seeing. This is an issue that scientists will have to work out as most laypeople do not have the wherewithall to decide the issue. Second, this book seems to be in disagreement with some of the facts about historical events such as mass extinctions and previous warming spells as they are described by Peter Ward in his book, Under A Green Sky. Finally, the authors repeatedly complain about being marginalized by the global warming powers that be. While some of that is understandable, an excessive amount can become a red flag for me.

This book is engaging and worth reading. The authors give the impression that more experiments and data should be becoming available soon, so I would suspect that if they are on to something, we should hear about it in the near future.

The Chilling Stars will embarrass the committee that awarded Al Gore the Nobel Prize. Here is hard science, not pseudoscience. If this were four centuries ago Al Gore would declare a "consensus" that the Earth is the center of the universe. Henrik Svensmark would play the part of Galileo. Challenging the majority is often met with censure and ridicule but that is how science advances. Fortunately, the Pope isn't Urban VIII, threatening to burn Svensmark at the stake for heresy.

My first reaction was, "Why hasn't any of this been in the mainstrem media?"

Nigel Calder's efforts to explain very difficult concepts are impressive. The chapter on Cosmic Rays is alone worth the price of the book. Calder should be writing textbooks. That being said, this book is not for casual reading. It requires thoughtful reading and sometimes re-reading to get it.

One disappointment, and the reason I rated it 4 stars, is that the authors seem to be guiding the reader to a particular conclusion. Anyone willing to make the effort necessary to understand it should be trusted to reach their own conclusion.

In addition to cosmic rays and their effect on Earth temperatures, there is a great deal of information on ice drilling and the wealth of ancient climate data stored in layers of ice in Greenland and the Antarctic. Much of that information contradicts what is often heard in the media and political speeches. Again, why hasn't this been in the mainstream news? My otherwise favorite radio network, NPR, speaks of "concensus" among "scientists" and labels anyone who doesn't buy climate change concensus as a flat-earther. Genuine scientists don't reach concensus on much of anything except maybe gravity, and this book is one more bit of evidence that there is no concensus among real scientists on global warming.

While I am not qualified to judge the validity of Svesmark's theory, the arguments are compelling. Svensmark will eventually be either proven or disproven by his peers and the weather!

If you like scientifically stimulating, thought provoking reading, and are willing to put some effort into understanding it, you should read The Chilling Stars. It is a fresh alternative to the junk science in the media. On the other hand, if your scientific information comes from supermarket tabloids and Geraldo, you wouldn't like this book.

The first edition was printed in 2007, and a second edition in Spring of 2008. With the recent 1 degree average temperature drop over 12 months, many potential readers are still shivering from the coldest winter on record, and may not need to read this book to be convinced that the alarmist "concensus" is flawed.

I read this book and it was like a breath of fresh air. I became interested on Global Warming prior to Kyoto. I have a science education and spent my working career solving technical problems, but I had no exposure, or knowledge of Climate science before Kyoto made me become interested. I looked for reliable scientific information about Global Warming. It was surprisingly difficult to find. Virtually all publications had a clear agenda, for, or against. Nobody appeared to try to present an objective picture. Facts that did not fit in, were either ignored or treated like "enemy propaganda". And of course, opponent's motives and integrity were continually questioned.
Henrik Svensmark and Nigel Calder's book was a welcome change from the "ideological warfare" of the Global Warming debate. Svensmark actually did scientific work to respond to criticism of his theory and most of the time he was successful. Considering the complexity of his theory, the opposition from the establishment and the minuscule budget he was able to line up, he achieved a tremendous amount in creating an alternative to the climate theory based on greenhouse gas emission only. Did he prove his theory? Probably not at this point. A lot more work needs to be done and he clearly does not have the resources to do it all alone.
However, his theory is very plausible and even if it does not fully explain all the variations of the climate, hopefully will stimulate scientists to explore the Sun-Climate connection further. Even more importantly, I would like to see - although I am not too hopeful - that it brings more scientific integrity and civility into the climate debate. If you are interested in climate science and look for book not just to give support to your view, but to broaden your understanding, then you must read this book

The work, The Chilling Stars: the New Theory of Climate Change, by Henrik Svensmark is a remarkable book that offers a compelling theory and explanation of climate change-- backed by a tremendous array of empirical findings that both explain recent climate changes, as well as climate events in Earth's distant past. Svensmark's theory is elegant and parsimonious--that is, it is a simple idea that explains a lot of natural phenomenon. It is also consistent with current experimental evidence, and will likely achieve greater explanatory power in 2010 as a large-scale experiment is run to further test the theory.

The book is well-written, and provides detailed responses to the major criticisms that have been leveled against this cosmoclimatology-based theory of climate change (i.e. climate change that is affected and primarily caused by elements from the cosmos--the sun, the amount and timing of high energy cosmic rays, our solar system's location in space, etc.) -- responses that are both dispassionate and compelling. As such, the book avoids judging competing theories (such as the computer model based greenhouse gas theories), and avoids the overly politicized and personal destructive rhetoric used by much of the "consensus" based theorists.

As an academic, I've spent many years interested in, and studying the history and philosophy of science. I find the current debate about the causes of climate change to be particularly interesting because it illustrates a couple of key points about science the general public is typically unaware of: (1) progress in science is messy, and can often be political-- as rival factions compete for influence; (2) most often, major breakthroughs in a given field come from a person or persons outside of the mainstream of that field; (3) the very essence of scientific discourse and process, and that which differentiates it from politics, is that consensus is irrelevant in the face of stubborn facts that do not fit the prevailing theory.

Svensmark and his team have waged an uphill battle, over many years, to even be able to get access to the resources to test their theory. To date, experimental and empirical evidence supports the cosmoclimatological mechanisms that they argue drive climate change, and have driven climate change for millions and millions of years. Their theory is consistent with, and explains the major "Earth snowball events" when the earth was nearly 100% covered in snow. It explains the more recent "middle-ages mini Ice Age", and other major climate events in Earth's history.

Overall, the mechanism that Svensmark believes explains climate change appears much more robust and powerful than the prevailing "consensus" computer-based models, in which key observational data is, in fact, inconsistent and even contradictory with those models.

If Svensmark and his team are correct, we could receive further validation of his theory in a couple of years when major high-energy particle studies are completed. In the meantime, it appears to me that the most likely place that we will learn about our current and future climate is from those dedicated scientists who study our sun and cosmos, and those climate scientists whose minds are disciplined enough to entertain competing theories and who are bothered by the tremendous amount of evidence that does not fit the current "consensus" models.

In the meantime, global politics will be global politics, and we will all be better off, if, in time, we let scientists be scientists and let the scientific process work-- which means we allow "the stubborn facts" that might undermine a theory, any theory, emerge and help us understand the truth.

I couldn't believe how quickly I received my book! I order these for class and sometimes I'm a little leary about placing an order because I had a bad experience once. Thank goodness that was not the case this time. Thank you.

This is a graduate text book that is long-winded, overly-wordy self-serving brochure for why we should all become Organizational Development Practitioners. The authors spend the first three chapters justifying the existence of the profession as if they were insecure about their relevance in the corporate world. It prattles on about how OD professionals work in teams and how they should structure their own private contracts. It even whines that being an OD practitioner is stressful. Find me a professional job that isn't stressful.

Cummings OD book is perfectly designed to approach and delve into the field of OD smoothly and profoundly. Its first three chapters provide an excellent introduction to OD and how it is differentiated from overlapping organizational dynamics, primarily change management and organizational change. I respected this text's strategic analysis of the OD interventions and the pragmatic models of their implementation. Although developing business organizations sounds theoritical in its conceptual or abstract sense, this text gives you reasonable and sensible tools that help convert the OD theory to a tangible reality.

Already undoubtedly the best marriage and family text on the market, the new 6th edition of Marriages and Families: Changes, Choices and Constraints is better than ever. Not only is it an in-depth treatment of important issues or marriage and family life, but it is highly personalized. Readers will feel as if they're engaging in a conversation with the author and will get to know her as a person, one who understands them as human beings rather than merely as research subjects.

This is probably the best Sociology books that I have ever read.It's both informative and thought provoking. Not only is the book full of useful chapter material that anyone... not just students, can use in everyday life. It is also filled with interesting history in "changes" boxes and fun filled facts in "choices" boxes. Even the "ask yourself" quizzes are worth reading. You definately learn more about human nature, relationships, and even yourself with how this text is written.

Before I got this book I had a lot of questions about relationships with family, etc. This book breaks down so many things having to due with marriages, famileies, friends, just relationships in general. I have applied a lot of what I have read in this book to my every day life and you wouldn't believe the amount of changes I have made since then. Reading this book has given me a better understang of a lot of different things.

This is far more than a textbook. Filled with fascinating history and trends, this is a literary cornucopia on marriage, children, gender roles, dating, sexuality, and much more. Although written by a reknowned sociologist, the information can be equally utilized in a college class or by an individual, who is seeking current empowering information. Benokraitis provides a multitude of data on the changes in the structure of marriage and families, the choices that social groups are offered, as well as the constraints that place limits on many families in contemporary society. The book poses questions, offers insights, and summarizes critical concepts on the roles of the evolving family.
I will be utilizing this text to teach a Sociology course on Marriage & Family. It is filled with exercises, simple graphs, personal anecdotes, and outstanding summaries. This is the 5th edition, but I studied the 2nd edition 11 years ago as an undergraduate. If possible, this wonderful, comprehensive book is even better now. I cannot recommend it enough!!

When discerning the human social condition, I always refer to this text; when conversing with family and friends about the construct of what drives humans to make relationship choices, I refer them to this text. If I have read this text ten years ago I would have not have gotten married. Knowledge is EMPOWERMENT...the information in this text will knock your socks off! From what theories drive human interaction, to learning gender roles and sterotypes, the perpetuators of gender sterotyping. We still choose who to marry by how we look, as opposed to intrinsic factors of humanness. Poverty? this book identifies why we need it and who benefits from it. Women and Children?....the most vulnarable population...is it governmental priority?....not hardly! Global male dominance?...alive,well, and thriving! This text should be required reading on every college prep and university campus.

Never forget that Gerstner was one of the big dog tobacco executives before he came to IBM.

One of the tobacco executives who took an oath and swore before Congress that he did not believe that tobacco was addictive. Tobacco was known to be addictive since at least 1932 according to the tobacco companies' own records.

Before you believe anything that Gerstner wrote or (more likely) had ghostwritten for him, always keep that in mind.

Having spent twenty-three years in management before I became an entrepreneur, I recognize that moving from one side of the desk to the other side may be the longest journey a professional person ever makes. When we shift into a leadership spot, not only do we find that our prior perceptions might have been totally inaccurate, we have to address personal and professional challenges we would have never imagined.

I applaud this book as one man's record of what life at the top is really like. He won me over immediately when he decided to wear a blue shirt because everyone else was wearing white. Thoreau would have applauded his individualism.

With my current profession dedicated to improving individual and corporate communication, I agree with Gerstner's assertion that "No institutional transformation takes place, I believe, without a multi-year commitment by the CEO to put himself or herself constantly in front of employees and speak in plain, simple, compelling language that drives conviction and action throughout the organization."

Another striking bit of Gerstner wisdom: "Success in a company comes foremost from success with the customer, nothing else."

He's right on target again when he observes that "lack of focus is the most common cause of corporate mediocrity."

Yet Gerstner goes beyond mere platitudes: "Execution--getting the task done, making it happen--is the most unappreciated skill of an effective business leader."

Possibly two of Gerstner's words capsule his approach to awakening IBM to its possibilities: "constructive impatience."

In my judgment, Louis Gerstner should rank alongside Jack Welch as a take-no-prisoners leader. Read this book, and you will agree that he was the right man at the right time for IBM.The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication-change Your Life!

Mr. Gerstner provides his story of when he took over the reigns at IBM and brought the company back on its feet. This is a strict business book with internal memos and charts at the end so it can lend itself to being a bit boring in some parts. However, when the authir describes how he was able to navicate thru the huge complexity of all the different divisions, then this book becomes a valuable reference for any business leader who needs to go thru the same process.

When I started the book, I have no idea about the history of IBM. I am not an IT person, so I have heard IBM but that is basically it.
I learned a lot from the book about IBM, what they did wrong and how he changed it.
But besides everything he revised the company culture and organizational structure. I think that is the hardest thing a CEO can achieve. His vision, his attention to details but still seeing the big picture amazed me. No wonder they picked him as the great saver of the IBM legend.
The book is long and sometimes repeats itself, without going into details.
The part I enjoyed the most was his e-mails. How encouraging was he after 9/11, he mentioned employee names and all the things they did both to help and also to get their business going. He sent e-mails to his 300.000 employees. His tone and the things he mentions, his clarity was amazing. He is an excellent leader. IBM is very lucky to have such a good CEO.

Throughout this book Gerstner discusses the changes IBM made and how he helped turned the company around. I have no doubt that he was a large part of the dynamic shift at IBM to again make it the successful, global company that it is today, but I felt that I went through the book without completely understanding what those changes were. There was a lot of discussion of how IBM was operated and managed when Gerstner took control of the company in 1993 as it was falling apart before the public's eyes, and there was a lot of explanation of how IBM was successful and reborn when he stepped down from the CEO position in 2002. But there was little substance in between. I am not sure if that is because the day-to-day steps taken throughout the mid and late 1990s are too mundane for the average business reader, of if the details were just left out. Gerstner does share some insight into leadership skills and his management style, but IBM as is left in the shadows. All in all, this is not a bad book, but be aware that the reader is left wondering exactly how IBM regained its dominant position in the marketplace.

I borrowed the book from the library, and after reading 1/2 of it, I decided I needed to own the book. Lama Surya Das writes very clearly and in a way that brings Buddhist principles into 21st century United States in very meaningful ways. Not just for times of change and loss, but really for any one reflecting on life, where they have come from and where they are going. Highly recommended.

This book provides some insights and suggestions for dealing with change. Although there are some good tips for dealing with change, the author does not present it in a elegant manner. This book is filled with stories of people that the reader does not know and I suppose should be able to relate to. In addition, the author uses a number of quotes from other people. What would have made this book more successful would be an honest, personal, first-person teaching of the knowledge that I think the author has to offer. I found this book difficult to finish reading as it did not draw me in.

Just enjoyed a differnt perspective ... You dont need to be a buddhist to benifit from this book. Worth every cent paid. The simple ideas presented here are so basic we tend to overlook them as we go about our lives.

A friend gave a copy of this book to me about three years ago, when I was in the depths of depression. It helped me tremendously, and, no, I didn't have to become a Buddhist in order to feel better.

"Letting go of the person you used to be" does not mean completely changing everything about your life, nor does it mean attempting to forget or no longer to care about people you love and have lost. The book's focus is, in fact, on accepting grief and sadness as not only natural, unavoidable aspects of living, but as opportunities for emotional (or spiritual, if you will) growth.

I won't attempt to describe the specific content of the book further, with one exception: For me, one of the most effective passages was that in which Surya Das writes that of course it is difficult to effect change--or even to think about change--when one is really struggling with grief, loss, or sadness. But, he writes, what's the alternative? Just to wallow in, deny, or suppress the pain? Clearly, none of those is an effective or healthy course of action. Therefore, the only reasonable option left is to accept the pain and deal with it as best you can.

This book helped me deal. And it may help you.

Like Lama Surya Das's other books, it is an easy to read, well written book with the occassional funny, dry humor that I enjoy.
The great thing about the Lama's writing is that he presents the writing from a viewpoint that anyone from any religion can appreciate.