2 comments about Conexiones: Comunicacion Y Cultura (Spanish Edition).

1. I purchased this textbook 2 years ago because it looked interesting and informative and as Spanish language educator, I believe it is important to keep abreast of the lastest educative material on the market. Not only was I pleased with the content and the grammar topics covered in the book but I was particularly impressed with the cultural awareness themes in every chapter, the thorough explanation of the grammar concepts and the opportunity to prepare and discuss controversial themes in Spanish thus allowing to student to develop his/her vocabulary and speaking skills. This edition of Conexiones is a complete course for intermediate to advanced Spanish students and if studied thoroughly, to completion with a competent instructor, the student will have and above average foundation in Spanish which would be beneficial to his/her future studies in the Spanish language. I strongly recommend this textbook to teachers and students pursuing advanced knowledge in Spanish.



2. This is an excellent book for intermediate Spanish students. It teaches all Spanish grammar beginning with the most simple and includes the most difficult/advanced topics (subjunctive, etc.). It's written for an intermediate level student with a basic understanding of Spanish who wants to understand it on a deeper level. I highly recommend it!

5 comments about Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold (Landover).

1. Audio narrator Dick Hill has had vast experience narrating gripping stories, which is one of the selling points to the audio version of Book One in the 'magic Kingdom of Landover' series, MAGIC KINGDOM FOR SALE - SOLD!. Landover is a real magic kingdom purchased by Ben, who finds only after his acquisition that the kingdom is in ruin. There's even an evil witch and a dragon wrecking havoc on his new purchase. Add in the contested rights to his assuming the position of King and you have a hilarious, fun blend of mystery and fantasy.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. 
   This was one of the first fantasy novels that I had read after I had given up on the bulk of them in my early teens. I had ingested so much fantasy in my early years that I may not have been the best person to ask exactly what reality was. Being into Dungeons & Dragons also didn't help and so went my cold ingrained perspective on the world, which wouldn't rear its head again until my early thirties.
   
   Brook's Magic Kingdom For Sale, Sold is the type of novel that has probably inspired a lot of other writers for the simple fact that this book is easy to read, has a very strong story from beginning to end, is engaging and is undoubtedly a cult classic, whether some of us like it or not. When I read Terry Brooks these days, I get a strange and uncanny feeling regarding J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series. While this book is in no way a mirror of her books, it just has the same type of childish charm and allure that is so present in the first three Harry Potter adventures. The characters are equally engrossing and irascible.
   
   I read this when it was released. I was an everyday sucker at the grocery store caught under the `spontaneous purchase' at the cash register and I was getting ready to bed down during my Senior Year to suffer through a bad case of chicken pox. I played a lot of Nintendo during those weeks, read a lot of Science Fiction and made my reading return back to fantasy after about a six or seven year absence. I wouldn't call Carlos Castaneda `Fantasy' per se, but some would, and that was when I moved on to read the classics, and rightly so.
   
   I was glad I came back and read this, because I read the Shannara books right after and re-read the Tolkien books to see if Brooks really was ripping off Lord of The Rings or not, as many have accused.



3. What a fun story ! I read it years ago, and then read the series. Now I am ordering it for my grandson. Order it and ESCAPE into another time/space.



4. Hey, I thought it was a funny concept! The usual magic kingdom of spells and fantasy galore winds up being sold in an eccentric's catalog. Sweet, cute, and pretty darn creative. Then of course we get the great fun of having the disbelieving new owner/"king" getting to discover what he has just bought.
   
   It's certainly a fun book, and the characters are just a riot. Most of what the book has going for it is the humor and the imagination, and those are not bad reasons to read the book. And yet the emotion is still there, the loss that drives Ben to do something crazy.
   
   It's not exceptionally original, but Brooks pulls it off very well.



5. The first book of the Brook's Landover series was a nice departure from the seriousness of the Shannara line. Don't misread this last statement; I am Brook's #1 fan. But I feel that he did a really cool thing when he created another series and brought more of a fairytale, playful kind of fantasy vibe into the writing. You still have a lot of the magic and characthers such as trolls, but he delves more into a light Arturian type realm, with plenty of excitement and suspense. I think that that this series would be a great place to start for a young reader curious about fantasy. I could truly see the Landover novels being brought to the big screen and becoming a huge success. Think Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings. I hear Terry was working on book #6 for this series. I can hardly wait.

No comments about The New Strategic Selling (The Unique Sales System Proven Successful by Heiman, Inc.).

5 comments about 101 Secrets of Highly Effective Speakers: Controlling Fear, Commanding Attention.

1. A excellent Hand book to any Interviewer



2. Easy to read straight forward style. Author does not talk down to you like so many other public speaking books. Great tips on how to get started and how to improve in many, many ways. As you read each tip you know you are going to use it as the tip is so well reasoned. It would be an excellent first book on speaking. This is one of the most wisely organized books I have ever read. Dance around from subject to subject with great table of contents and index or plow though sequentially Read the book in one day.



3. True to the title, Ms. Krannich outlines, in a sensible order, 101 eminently useful tidbits on public speaking. She covers everything from the speaker's posture to controlling anxiety to the actual environment of the room, giving fledgling speakers insights that might have taken years of trial and error otherwise. True, there are limitations in the user-friendly self-help style Ms. Krannich adopts. At times , things seem a little too overly simplified; at other times, she doesn't explain enough why the technique is useful. Most of the time though, she offers well reasoned common sense. Definitely useful.



4. As part of my Lotusphere preparation, I read the book 101 Secrets Of Highly Effective Speakers by Caryl Rae Krannich. As the title indicates, it's a series of short "secrets" (tips) on how to make effective presentations. The tips are broken up into categories such as Plan To Exceed Expectation, Build Your Body - Your Speech Body, Close With Power, and Prepare Like A Pro.

   This isn't a "program" to help you overcome your fear. Instead, it's more like a buffett of ideas. Most of the ideas are common sense, and will strike you as "I know that already". If you've given presentations before, or if you're an experienced presenter, you might not take much away from the book. But if you're just starting out on the speaking trail, the information in the book will help you to focus your efforts.




5. The 101 "tips" aren't really secrets, but more of common sense packaged in one place.
   
   As a professional speaker and consultant running my own business and personal development business TheInspirationalEdge.com being just one of them, I refer to it once in a while for inspiration and confirmation that I'm doing fine.
   
   I think it'll be particularly good for you if you're just starting out in public/professional speaking.
   
   Hope this helps and remember to keep having fun - whatever you do.

2 comments about The Game of Negotiating Caring...But Not That Much.

1. This is a 2 hour (approx) recording of a seminar given by Herb Cohen, conducted in a live setting. It repeats quite a bit of the material given in Herb's earlier audio books, some of which are not in print. It also adds some additional information, and presents some of the original information in a different style. For the student of negotiation, this is an excellent resource to help explain how Herb Cohen, who is an adviser to U.S. Presidents and corporate America, manages to keep on top of his game.



2. Herb Cohen is the quintessential "teacher as storyteller." He is captivating and informative. I have found that over the years his stories have stuck with me and allowed me to remember these most basic and important points of negotiation. Herb keeps his seminars simple by covering just the basic points and making them memorable through the stories he tells.
   
   As the other review states, these CDs are a recording of one seminar. He covers most of his tried and true negotiating points in his usual eloquent style.
   
   He is direct, informative, positive, and yet humble. He shows his fallibility by illustrating mistakes he has made and guides you in ways to avoid making these common mistakes.
   
   I highly recommend this product without reservation.

No comments about GETTING UNSTUCK BREAKING THROUGH THE BARRIERS TO CHANGE: Breaking Through The Barriers To Change.

No comments about Business Basics: Cassettes (2).

5 comments about The 11 Immutable Laws of Internet Branding.

1. I like reading the books written by Ries, all of which are excellent. This one is no exception! With the trend of using Internet, many Internet businesses emerge. However, many of them find it hard to operate online. What's wrong with them?

   It is good for Al and Laura Ries to first clarify that the Internet is either a medium or a business. It is really a fundamental and important decision for companies to make. They are sure to be greatly benefit from thinking about this question.

   In addition, most businesses neglect or even do not know the importance of a good name. With the lack of the good "seeing and touching" visual impact, the powerful tool companies can put in the prospects' mind is a good name. The law of the common name and proper name can give us a clearer picture.

   A good Internet brand cannot solely rely on a good name. It also depends on the interactivity of the website, singularity in the category, off-line advertising¡KMore of which can be found in the book.

   This book is very clear. The concept is profound and easy to understand, supported by plenty of examples. I can get a lot of insights from it. And it is interesting! I enjoy reading it!




2. This book offers conclusory statements with very superficial, if any, analysis. For example, the authors argue that technologies tend to diverge, and not converge. For support, they say "[i]n biology, the law of evolution holds that new species are created by the division of a single species. Convergence, instead, suggests that the combining of two species will yield you a new one. Invaraibly in nature you see things divide and not converge. We have hundreds of varieties of dogs and hundreds of varieties of cats, but "very few" dogcats, or chickenducks, or horsecows." What?! I haven't the foggest idea how a system like technology controlled by humans has to do with biology, a system of nature. When there's human intervention, convergence occurs all the time - such is the case with many modern fruits and vegetables that have been bred by humans. And really,there are "very few" varieties of dogcats? I'm not aware of any.

   I'd be curious as to what the authors have to say about the trend towards bigger corporations, through mergers. According to the authors, these big corporation really shouldn't exist, because things diverge, and not converge.

   They also make the pompous statement that the purchasers of business.com could have saved $7,499,979 if they had bought the authors' book. The fact that they could claim credit for saying that a brand name shouldn't be generic is preposterous. That is one of the most basic tenet of branding. Of course, the authors does not discuss sex.com, an equally generic name, which has made $40 million in the course of a few years.




3. This book offers conclusory statements with very superficial, if any, analysis. For example, the authors argue that technologies tend to diverge, and not converge. For support, they say "[i]n biology, the law of evolution holds that new species are created by the division of a single species. Convergence, instead, suggests that the combining of two species will yield you a new one. Invaraibly in nature you see things divide and not converge. We have hundreds of varieties of dogs and hundreds of varieties of cats, but "very few" dogcats, or chickenducks, or horsecows." What?! I haven't the foggest idea how a system like technology controlled by humans has to do with biology, a system of nature. When there's human intervention, convergence occurs all the time - such is the case with many modern fruits and vegetables that have been bred by humans. And really,there are "very few" varieties of dogcats? I'm not aware of any.

   I'd be curious as to what the authors have to say about the trend towards bigger corporations, through mergers. According to the authors, these big corporation really shouldn't exist, because things diverge, and not converge.

   They also make the pompous statement that the purchasers of business.com could have saved $7,499,979 if they had bought the authors' book. The fact that they could claim credit for saying that a brand name shouldn't be generic is preposterous. That is one of the most basic tenet of branding. Of course, the authors does not discuss sex.com, an equally generic name, which has made $40 million in the course of a few years.




4. I was a fan of the The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing. A coworker had this book on his shelf and I asked to borrow it. It was just as good as the The 22... book. As I read through it, I was so happy to see that the approach I had taken for my business as it relates to marketing on the internet was correct. My favorite chapter is the one about the differnce between a business who markets on the internet and a true internet business. I also loved the information about picking a domain name. This book is ideal for the small business owner who either has a business they want to expand to the internet, or an idea for a business that uses the internet as the foundation.



5. Having enjoyed other books coauthored by Al Ries, I was disappointed with this one.
   
   Maybe the authors rushed this to market, taking their own advice: "Getting it right makes no sense from a branding point of view. Anything worth doing is worthwhile doing in a half-a**ed way." Yes, they really wrote that. I appreciate the importance of being first, but if your first impression is half-a**ed, won't that define your brand accordingly? "Once you stand for something in the prospect's mind, it is very hard to change what you stand for."
   
   Moving on, the Law of Either/Or says that the Internet can be a business or a medium, but not both. "If the Internet is a business, putting your name on both your physical store and your Website is a serious error." I buy office supplies at Staples.com with the convenience of delivery, but sometimes I shop at the Staples store when I need something the same day. Either way, I earn Staples Rewards points. There may be cases where it makes sense to have a separate brand for the web, but this is obviously not an "immutable" law.
   
   Another strange assertion is that online advertising and online publications are not viable. "Along with advertising, many of the traditional forms of communication are just not going to make it on the Net. Take newspapers and magazines as an example. Why would you assume that you can publish a successful magazine or newspaper on the Internet?" A few paragraphs later, they acknowledge the success of the Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, but ask "whether or not Dow Jones would have been better off launching an Internet publication under a different name..." Uh... no. I understand the authors' aversion to line extension (such as if Coca-Cola launched Coke chewing gum) but the Wall Street Journal print and online editions draw from the same pool of editorial content, so it is perfectly sensible to use the same name.
   
   On page 160 they write, "Internet search engines will decline in importance." Sure, once online brands gain loyalty, customers will go directly to those sites: I want to buy a book so I go straight to Amazon. But that doesn't mean that search engines won't continue to play a central role in web browsing.
   
   Aside from some left-field thinking, there's sloppiness. On page 63, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop is referred to as JR Koop, and his website is cited as jrkoop.com, rather than drkoop.com.
   
   I don't recommend this book.

5 comments about The Adversity Quotient @ Work: Make Everyday Challenges the Key to Your Success--Putting the Principles of AQ Into Action.

1. 'AQ@Work' is aimed at consultants, students, or those in business who want to create a structured reaction mindset (initially consciously incompetent, to unconsciously competent) to performing better individually and in teams in the workplace.

   The attractively illustrated action-oriented chapters span: Expanding your capacity- the human operating system (Quitters, Campers & Climbers); The science of AQ; Measuring Your AQ; The CORE of a climber (Control, Ownership, Reach, Endurance); Developing Response-Able Climbers (LEAD= Listen to Response, Establish Accountability, Analyze the Evidence, and Do Something); Coaching and Mentoring Climbers; Defining and Finding Climbers; Hiring Climbers; Building Climbing Teams; Building A Climbing Culture.

   Strengths include: the presentation (illustrations, tables, summaries, action lists); the lively engaging style; interesting "humans as computers with software" analogies; the usability of materials for in-company training; and the credibility of AQ itself (data set and application group spanning over 100,000 people Worldwide across cultures, sectors, and professions).

   Weaknesses include: the lack of references; a need more anecdotes or tabulated quantified success stories (rather than repetitive, almost consulting sales pitch); needs 25% less page count for content; dull 2nd half becomes a "verbatim training notes doc" (to this reviewer); lack of depth to "science" (e.g. misses many credible individual/ team motivation/performance models e.g.2 misses communications models & significance to team performance); offers unsubstantiated contradictions with standard psychology view to internalizing/ externalizing problems and subsequent personal growth (or not); and anecdotes sometimes abstract/remote from complexities of real work environments. Interestingly, Cypress Semiconductor is hailed here as a success story, and as a failure in Pfeffer's recent OK "Hidden Value" and OK "Knowing Doing-Gap" texts.

   Alternatives include: Pfeffer's efforts; Goleman's OK "Working with Emotional Intelligence"; and Schwartz's inspirational "Magic of Thinking Big". At the "quality-end" look at: the superb "First to the Future- on Active Leadership" by Willi Railo (rigorous proven methods to coach & lead Olympic-standard people, applicable to all) (ISBN82-991169-5-3 Norbok A/S 1995); and Jensen's punchy 'Simplicity' (ISBN 073820210X 2000). More peripherally look at: "The Time Management PocketBook" and "Yoga for Dummies" offering approaches for motivation, focus, and action to being better balanced as well as corporate citizens.

   Overall 'AQ@Work' is only worthwhile- but it could be amongst the best with more rigor & science, less words, and more success statistics.




2. Not moving up the corporate ladder as quickly as you think you should? Was your brilliant idea or presention rejected? Were you overlooked for a promotion? Why? This book attempts to answer these questions. Author, Paul Stoltz has identified three types of people in the workplace, and how they react to setbacks. First there are quitters who are bitter and avoid change; secondly, campers who settle into comfort zones, and thirdly, climbers who are relentless in the pursuit of their goals. He emphasizes that "climbers" are the achievers. The book is is filled with self assessment charts and maps for strategies. But the key, it seems is perserverance not paranoia; focused effort not whining; and setting realistic goals, then taking action. Employers and employees will welcome this "window" into how to succeed in the business world. Oh yes, this author writes about work-related stress. After you read this book, take a look at "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens", by Dr. Richard Carlson. It has keys to success for everyone not just teens; and coping with stress is a universal challenge. What is your Adversity Quotient?



3. Very, very little science in this one and one of many current books taking on a simple metaphor and developing a whole theory around it (...life is a climb, don't quit...or how about, life is like fishing, try different lures each day...or, life is like sharpening a pencil---sharp points work effectively, but sharpen too much, and the pencil grows short...). I went to a writer's workshop and the consultant there stated that the quickest way to publish a book is to think up one of these silly metaphors and write a self-help book around it. Maybe the author of this one was in the same workshop! Anyway, my advice is for readers to "climb a real mountain" and read good science---not this turkey.



4. Read this book! Dr. Paul Stotlz has written a wonderful book that can help us all to accomplish more at work and to enjoy it while we do. With his easy to undertsand concepts and easy to follow "how to's" we can all learn to harness the adversities and obstacles that we face every day and to use them as springboards in our lives. This book has already helped me and many of my friends to develop a higher level of perseverance which is helping to drive higher levels of accomplishment and statisfaction not only in our work but in every facet of lives. Dr. Stoltz, thank you for sharing your great insight!



5. Finally a book that explains how a person can manifest a more powerful personal and professional life.Going beyond simple advice and into simplifying vital scientific knowledge, AQ@Work is filled with achieveable and exciting methods to help everyone access their potential.This book doesn't tell the reader he should be more successful, more productive, or more positive,, this book actually describes usuable tools for becoming more successful, more productive and more positive!The use of the Climbers, Campers, and Quitters metaphor is a brilliant way to guide reader's visualization of their current status on life's path.Some may resent the labels and metaphors, I would urge them to read the description of Camper once more and weep....

5 comments about The Roaring 2000s: Building the Wealth and Life Style You Desire.

1. I think the basic assumption about the impact of the baby boomers is correct, but where Harry went wrong is that he encapsulated the "message" by focusing exclusively on the sharemarket. If he had said that assets, viz average share prices and average property values, will quadruple by 2008, then he will probably be right. Unfortunately he said words to the effect that the Dow Jones will go from 10,000 to 40,000 by 2008. What he didn't properly explain was that in some years real estate will go up, and down, likewise the share market. Together, over the period 2000 - 2008, the combined value will quadruple. His thesis is correct; it was the catchphase that was wrong.



2. Readers would be better served by reading "The Intelligent Asset Allocator", which has the same core recommendations with regard to saving and investing, but much harder data on asset allocation (which provides >85% of the explanatory variable in overall portfolio returns according to most academic studies), following those recommendations instead, and then going out and just living their lives instead of vainly seeking some "new life around the corner, if only I had another $(fill in the blanks) million" by spending their hard-earned money on these investment book du jours.



3. The "It's the 2000's and everything is going to be great because nothing can go wrong" theme was the opposite of what I was looking for.
   
   I'm interested in books that give solid detailed steps to take when preparing for your financial future and this book seems to have a "don't worry about it" kind of tone. I found it pretty worthless. As if he just wrote a book that told people what they wanted to hear in order to get them to by the book.
   
   (...)



4. The Inflation myth is that it results from rapid growth. Inflation is the result of radical new technologies and the entrance of the young new generations that bring them to the workforce. Other than the war periods, the greatest periods of inflation have coincided with major periods of technology innovation: Inflation wave following the crusades, another massive wave following the capitalism revolution; and the biggest wave emerging caused from the information revolution.
   
   Inflation is a sign of progress in the making, not the destruction of the monetary system or decay of the moral fiber. Neither political policy of various Presidents nor the monetary policy of the fed significantly influence inflation, instead inflation is the economy's means for financing an economic revolution. The higher the inflation the greater the economic revolution to follow and during inflation money is tight, so demand for the money will be strong. It takes a massive investment to launch an economic revolution. The launch of the economic revolution corresponds with the growth of the labor force, whose spending patterns as group are very predictable. The labor forces expands during the innovation wave that occurs when a new generation enters the job market. There are three forces that influence inflation : 1. new technologies force organizations to retool to remain competitive and requires capital investment 2. the new generation launches many new companies, which require an infusion of capital before they become self-supporting 3. the new generation elevates the demand for commercial infrastructures-from office space to factories to warehouses for work, and malls and store of all kinds for personal shopping and entertainment-which require a huge capital investment by businesses and government.
   
   In Phase I, inflation occurs when investors are saving more then they are spending. Higher interest rates fuel the propensity to spend. The business sector's need for cash flow imposes an inflation tax on the consumer. New businesses needing to raise capital can not finance large debts because they have not yet stabilized and demonstrated a predictable growth pattern. High inflation forces debt financing through venture capital. Inflation moves higher because production increases have not yet been realized adoption of new technologies that will increase productivity. As the new technology companies begin to grow, financing begins to ease. Inflation drops as finance and investment grow. The companies find it easier to get credit and loans and so they borrow more to finance their growth and retool.
   
   In Phase II, in a booming economy and falling inflation rates consumers are spending and borrowing money, so government does not feel compelled to raise tax rates. The money government needs to produce from the growing infrastructure and finance transition into the new economy. As the new economy emerges debt rises to finance the growth, inflation rates fall, and productivity rates remain low and improving.
   
   In Phase III, productivity surges as the new technologies move mainstream, following the S-curve Pattern. Business organizations leverage the new technologies to increase productivity, wages, and profits. The high profits in the new growth companies create high cash flow for investment and growth with less need for equity or debt financing.
   
   Based on inflation patterns, productivity, and labor force trends a massive boom for the next four years will become a reality. The boom will not be sustained and a prolonged period of time of 10-20 years of economic slowdown will causes surges in unemployment, but eventually 3% of the new growth companies will create a surge in employment, profits, and innovations. The real revolution will not be technology but a return to a focus on the customer, his preferences, his smart card info, and global sharing of this information between companies. Frontline consultants will use back end server data to bring the best opinions for the consumer depending on their situation. The organzational network will change the infrastructure, efficiency, and value companies will bring to the customer. Companies that do not adapt will not be competitive and sales indicators will testify against them.



5. Some fairly good analysis on markets and trends and things. But abyssmally and tragically ignorant on some of the most important base issues surrounding money, banking, monetary policy, and inflation. For the market review and analysis, for the cost of used books today, I'd recommend not paying more than 7 or 8 bucks at the very most. But when you get to the parts of the book where he talks about money or inflation directly, skip those sections.