5 comments about McGraw-Hill's GED : The Most Complete and Reliable Study Program for the GED Tests.

1. If you've put off getting your GED because you haven't got time to go to a class, don't worry and stop putting it off now! Get this book, refresh your mind, start using that "grey matter" again and pass the GED test with flying colors! This book is great, it has everything you need to prepare for taking your GED test and KNOW you'll pass. I did it and couldn't be happier.



2. This time we got more that we bargained for. Thank you!
   
   GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALL ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!



3. This resource book was very thorough and the tests included very hepful to my daughter. She was able to study the subjects she was weak in without going through the entire book. I believe it helped her in successfully passing the GED test the first time.



4. I have been very pleased with my purchase!! It arrived very quickly. It is both easy to use and very informative. Anyone interested in a self- study method of obtaining a GED is sure to find this book to be a treasure!



5. I was under the impression that i ordered the book with the cd and it showed that when i entered it bit only recieved the book!

5 comments about The Secrets of Economic Indicators: Hidden Clues to Future Economic Trends and Investment Opportunities, 2nd Edition.

1. This book does a great job of explaining a long list of macro-economic indicators, their application and relative predictive importance. Highly recommended for those who want to understand how economists measure and attempt to forecast the direction of economies around the world.



2. Very good book to get an idea about all the economic indicators that can make or break the economy.



3. This is an esaly introduction to economic indicators, mainly the american ones. It contains some interesting tips about indicators, like "thumb rules" in some cases. It briefly introduces each of the most important indicators to the US economy (as well to other major economies) and it's effects on the markets. Those interested in detailed information of some indicator will need to go deeper looking for it's original sources.



4. Secrets of Economic Indicators is an excellent book on what drives and affects the economy and the markets. From inflation,consumer spending,unemployment,housing, to the Federal Reserve. Each section explains market sensitivity and why. Would not recommend this book for market-timing necessarily but to understand why the markets go up and down. The last 2 chapter have websites for U.S. and International Economic Indicators for further information. Well done.



5. This book really made market indicators simple and easy to understand. I appluad the author for his format. If you need to understand all of those fancy indicator lingo this is the book to read.

5 comments about Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking.

1. This book was, by far, the most redundant thing I have ever read. It would have made for an interesting article in a newspaper or magazine; however, the book itself is way too long and repetitious for its topic. I am very disappointed that I spent money on this item. Too bad my "thin slicing" is apparently terrible and could not help me on this purchase.



2. There's not much substance to this book. Rather than being a resource of information, it is merely a book of examples. There is no broad takeaway you can gather from it after reading except to say perhaps that many of our decisions are based on split-second thoughts. But did you really need to read this book to find that out?



3. The basic idea is interesting and held my attention for a while, but eventually lost my interest.



4. Blink! what seemed like a fascinating subject pulled me in and then after 100 pages I put it down. Just like that, in a flash of a moment or a blink, I decided I can't finish this book. Might have made a fascinating magazine article in New Yorker magazine but like that magazine this book just started boring me. Blink.



5. I found this a tremendously interesting read: during two days or so it took me to read it, I really couldn't put it down. (A teacher, I put my students to work doing a bunch of soul-crushing busy work so I could finish reading it during classtime.)
   
   It's full of great anecdotes, and Gladwell has a lucid and engaging style.
   
   The problem is this: as far as what Gladwell's actually saying, his observations don't sum to much.
   
   The basic thesis -- as I'm sure you know -- is that people in certain walks of life are frequently found to exhibit eerily reliable snap judgments, whereby they can arrive at the core of (what seem to us) monstrously complex problems in only a second or two.
   
   Fair enough. The phenomenon certainly exists. Gladwell documents it well and you find yourself convinced that he's not making this up.
   
   Alas. The book attempts to go further than that, and that's where it falls flat.
   
   Gladwell never successfully articulates exactly how it is that his various "thin-slicers" actually work their magic. Further, he fails to give proper weight to the counter-evidence: loads of cases where snap judgments fail. Offhand, I would imagine that judging situations based on one's initial impression is, on average, a dumb way to go most of the time (even perilous in some contexts).
   
   But so enthusiastic is Gladwell about the laundry-list of exceptions he has collected that it's almost to the point where he's implying that preternatural snap judgments are USUALLY reliable, rather than OCCASIONALLY reliable. Which is quite the daring claim.
   
   Finally, Gladwell fails to provide any guidance on the question of how one could systematically learn to hone such a skill, assuming that it can even exist in one's discipline (I remain to be convinced that snap judgments have a role to play in all walks of life).
   
   The end result of these shortcomings is that the only thing "Blink" does effectively is point out that the phenomenon exists. By itself this is not terribly useful.

5 comments about The PMP Exam: How to Pass On Your First Try (Test Prep series).

1. I can recommend this book and even the price seems high than other books around, It made a siginificant contribution for my exam that I passed yesterday!!. It was easier to understand the concepts of the PM Book with the examples along the book. I had the chance to review it in 4 weeks previous to my exam and it helped me a lot!!!



2. The best! This book is concise, to the point and covers most of the material. Has a very intuitive way of explaining how outputs from one process flow into inputs of the next process. Without this book I would have never understood the flows. The book gets the job done i.e. If you read this book and follow the author you will pass the exam on your first try. Unlike other books that are just an expansion of PMBOK or insult your intelligence this book is an easy read and covers all the material that you need to pass the exam.
   
   Why a 4 star review? There are some mistakes in this book. e.g. the author confuses PERT and 3 point estimate as the same thing. Also, the book overlooks details of Organization Process Assets and Enterprise Environment Factors as "common inputs". They are crucial to understanding the initiation and closing of a project.



3. The proof will be in the pudding when I sit for the PMP next week. So far, I have found Crowe's book to be well worth the cost, which I have studied in conjunction with HeadFirst PMP. It's not too text-bookie, written in a relatively casual style, especially in comparison to the PMBOK.



4. The PMP Exam: How to Pass On Your First Try (Test Prep series)
   
   Excellent resource and prep book. The web site is a great addition to the printed material. The practice exams help you focus learning on areas of weakness. The book helps make following PMBOK logical and simple. A great study aide!



5. I am very happy with this book. I had registered for a review course ($995), but the course was canceled due to low enrollment. I considered enrolling for another review course, but I thought I would give self-study a shot first.I read the PMBOK and it seemed as though I was reading a foreign language. This book was the only source I used other than the initial read of the PMBOK. I think I was more confused after that, but this book really helped. It wasn't an overly dry read, and it really seemed to key in on important issues that you face on the test. As the name states, I did pass the test on the first try, using only this book, and I saved $995 off the price of the review course I had registered for! I am so glad the course was canceled! I would highly recommend it if you have the time to study on your own and want to save $$$. Try this book!

5 comments about Presenting to Win: The Art of Telling Your Story.

1. Presenting to Win is a terrific book. I got a clear, structured, sensible system to create presentations that will skyrocket the level of mine. I will keep this handy every time. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Jerry.



2. We've all sat through presentations that dragged on forever, but led nowhere. What's worse, we've probably even given a few. As the author puts it, "The problem is that no one knows how to tell a story...and no one knows that they don't know how to tell a story."
   Author Jerry Weissman boils it down to telling a compelling story. That's easy to say, but hard to do. With this book's guidance, you can become an effective communicator--whether convincing employees of the need to change, persuading prospects that you have the best solution or leading skeptical community groups to support your cause.
   
   Presenting to Win overflows with practical advice on how to engage an audience by telling your story with a focus on what's important to them. You become an `audience advocate' whose concern for your listeners' needs puts them at the heart of your presentation. As Weissman describes it:
   "Persuasion is the art of moving your audience from Point A, a place of ignorance, indifference, or even hostility toward your goal...navigating them through an unbroken series of Aha!s...to Point B, a place where they will act as your investors, customers, partners, or advocates, ready to march to your drum."
   
   By following Weissman's detailed roadmap, we can learn how to tell stories that move and motivate our listeners by keeping them engaged from a compelling start to a big finish.
   
   Silicon Valley Presentation Guru
   
   Weissmann's first career was as a Hollywood producer and screenwriter. His friendship with venture capitalist, Ben Rosen, led him to his second career as a presentation guru. In 1988, he launched a business that taught high tech executives to move from feature-laden, techno-speak dissertations to engaging, listener-centric presentations. Yahoo, Intuit, Cisco, Microsoft, and Intel all benefited from his teachings.
   
   The Opening Gambit is Just the Beginning
   Weissman offers plenty of real world anecdotes, how-tos, and helpful graphics that convey how to grab and keep your audience. His opening gambit concept typifies his approach. He first offers the rationale, supports it with multiple success stories, and describes a broad range of opening gambits.
   To engage an audience, an opening gambit pulls them out of a state of disinterest or suspicion about you and your presentation. Asking questions is one of seven such gambits discussed. In 1993, Scott Cook founder of Intuit (maker of Quicken and QuickBooks) faced a jaded audience of investment bankers. Rather than launch into a feature packed discussion of his new product, he asked two questions:
   * How many of you balance your own checkbooks?
   * How many enjoy doing it?
   After a round of chuckles, he continued, "You're not alone. Millions of people around the world hate balancing their checkbooks. We at Intuit have developed an easy-to-use, inexpensive home finance tool named, Quicken." With this `Aha' moment, Cook was off and running.
   Beyond the Opening Gambit--Components of Successful Presentations
   Equally insightful chapters on presentation essentials provide a level of detail and clarity that leaves nothing to chance. They include:
   * Story development
   * Graphic design
   * Delivery skills
   * Tools
   * Q & A techniques
   In each case, Weissman
   
   Presenting to Win: A Blueprint Worth Following
   
   Weissman demonstrates that even those of us who aren't naturals can present to win. Learning what he teaches requires significant effort because his approach contains such a broad range of interrelated elements--and includes variations that differ depending on purpose, topic, and audience. Making it easy for our audience is hard for us. But, as Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, Intuit, and Yahoo learned, the effort is well worth it.



3. Jerry Weissman is one of those rare people who has written an authoritative sounding book about how to present and has the real experience and background to justify every claim he makes.
   
   The book starts with the premise that the presenter must focus on the audience and that he must make them focus on him. He must understand the mental point they are at (Point A) and moves them to Point B. He must understand what is in it for them (WIIFY) and constantly use it as he constructs every slide to walk them to Point B. He must also understand the setting of the audience, and his main points of argument. Finally, he must tie those points together with a flow structure that fits his argument.
   
   That's the first half of the book and as someone who has through some awful presentations, I can only wish reading this book were the equivalent of a driver's license for public speakers.
   
   The back half of the book draws on his background in television and employs standard cinematic techniques to improve the appearance of PowerPoint. It's easy to overlook this part, but it makes a huge difference as well.
   
   I've now had a chance to see people who have used these techniques for years present, and it makes a huge difference. I have also seen someone present in a tough situation using these techniques for the first time. This person is level-headed and not given to fads. His comment? "I wish I had run to Jerry's book ten years earlier."
   
   If you speak in public, this is the one book you have to read, and re-read. It is common sensical, based in fact, and surprisingly intuitive.



4. This book is about making CONSCIOUS decisions for balancing the story board itself for hard facts, visual, ethical and psychological aspects, politicily correctness etc. but of course doesnt stop there.
   
   The book shows and discusses which elements you need to convey your story and why you use certain presentation technics over others to achieve your goals.
   
   The book is devided in 14 chapters. Each chapter is focused on either
   
   a) How to create or develop your basic story or on
   b) How to enhance it
   
   (by using the described technics and its implications and reactons it will provoke).
   
   What makes this book standing out is the careful analyzation of the aspects that came into play when giving an presentation.
   
   That obviously includes the analytical skills itself but also the time and effort to explicitely mention and discuss (dis)advantages of each element.
   
   
   The carefully chosen presentation samples will be disassembled throughout the book and taken apart into its peaces, analyzed, explained and put back together.
   
   Where required, the example will be (dis)assembled several times to bring the points across.
   
   Its the analysation of those presentations and its aspects to a granular level and putting the gained knowledge into a conscious presentation creation process that make the book so valuable.
   
   Most books tell you just how to use software to make graphics etc. but this book tells you what you have to present to your adience to actually win them over.
   
   The fact that the many aspects are explicitely explained helps you visualize the options you have at your disposal and the reason why you chose one presentation form over another.
   
   While this book focuses on presentations that show off your assets and the art of persuasion. There is also a companion book "In the line of Fire" which focuses more on the defense to hardball questions.
   
   I do also want to recommend a third book - "Dan Roams: Back of the Napkin" which focuses more on the technical aspects of how to find your story, and a strong focus on visualizing it fool prove and providing rock solid hard facts that wont be beaten.
   
   What Jerry*s books does express very well is the fact that giving a presentation is like being an athlet.
   You will have to exercise "verbalize" regularly to be in top form when it counts.
   
   Good luck to you !!



5. This book is an excellent tool. It focuses very specifically on effectively creating a business presentation. The tips were valuable to be and I have been creating presentations for several years. It will also be very easy to reference in the future.

5 comments about Stock Investing For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)).

1. Like it says, it's stock investing for dummies. Not only will you get explanations for key terms that you will encounter, you also will be taught how to look at numbers on a balance sheet, and decode what story the balance sheet is telling you. The way this book is written is very novice-friendly, you won't have to worry about being lost or not being able to understand some words. I can see how the more "advanced" investors might flip through the pages going "I already know that...." But like the title says, It's for dummies. If you know nothing about investing and want to know more, this is a great start. However, If you want to take it to the next level, I recommend a successful mentor.



2. This book is fantastic. It covers all the basic fundamentals, provides resources to learn more about every area, and covers every broad aspect of evaluating a company. You learn about company fundamentals, accounting formulas, economic indicators, political signs, trends, and much more. Probably the best beginning book on stock trading I've read, and I have read many.
   
   Not only that, but the author's results speak for themselves. The 1st edition was written in 2005, and he made several predictions, every one of which came true. In the book he mentioned that according to his research silver would be in very high demand in the next few years - then showed the indicators to prove it. Silver then went on to go from $7 to $17 currently, over 30% annual growth. He accurately predicted the internet stock bust in 2001, the housing bust, the rise of silver, the rise of oil, the collapse of financial service companies, and the rise of commodities.
   
   Obviously results alone don't mean anything, but when taken with the strategies he teaches, it's very clear that this guy knows what he's doing.



3. I liked the book and thouht it was really good, some stuff I didn't think about was menioned in this book, even though its for Dummies :-)



4. It has basiclly very much everything to know about stocks. For newbie like me, I'm glad that I got this book. It shows u from buy to sell stocks and what matters would happen.



5. Time is an important asset. Invest your time in this excelent masterpiece, it will be your first good investment of many.
   
   Two considerations:
   
   Specalutors are not welcome here, this is pure investment for dummies. Aggresive tactics only in a conservative macro-enviroment.
   
   Investment could be very hard if you like, but like all things in life, it is best to keep it simple. Paul's book will be always in your hands when your strategies became too complex, heping advanced investors return to the basics.
   
   
   (Sorry for my english, is not my primary language)

5 comments about Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time.

1. I had to read this book through work, and I have to say it made a powerful change in my company. If you are tired of having the same conversations over and over with employees or your spouse then this book will teach you that the conversation IS the realationship. Fierce conversations are REAL. They are not mean are rude, they are robust, intense, strong, powerful, passionate, eager, and unbridled. they are meant for confronting reality, understanding why a problem exists, and discovering the solution. The book guides you with 7 principles:
   
   #1 You must interrogate reality. Discover the truth first.
   #2 Make the conversation real. Take off your mask and speak the truth with tact.
   #3 Be here. Focus on the conversation at hand, focus on it. No fading away!
   #4 Tackle your toughest challenge today. Stop procrastinating. What can you solve that will bring you the most value, today?
   #5 Obey your instincts. You know in your heart what is right.
   #6 Take responsibility for your emotional wake. You must understand how you in your position emotionally effects people.
   #7 Let silence do the heavy lifting. Slow down your speaking, take time for quiet gaps and to think about what to say next.
   
   This is a powerful book that can change your life, your family, or your organization.



2. Fierce Conversations is a must read for anyone. Period!
   Nothing else to say. It has fantastic information on communication and understanding. Two levels beyond talking ...and helps readers improve their level of interaction to reach win win results.



3. I have read many business books, and this one is in a class all itself. It's contents apply to personal and business relationships of all types. Real world experience that is well written, humorous, effective, and easy to implement. I highly recommend this book for anyone that maintains a relationship of any kind with any other person.



4. I did not consciously choose this book. A friend regards this book highly, couldn't find it in her library, ordered another and then found her original. I became the beneficiary...happily, I might add. And that's because this book so succinctly and smartly puts forth what a life of quality looks like. For instance, Scott says, "Each of us must first answer the question 'Where am I going?' before we can address the question 'Who is going with me?' It is essential not to get those out of order." She then goes on to say, "You will bring into your life whatever it is that you have the most clarity about."
   While I did find this to resonate as true, the book goes beyond being a mere motivational speech. It is a handbook for those who are charged with responsibility or compelled to align the movements of masses so that some higher-order ideal is realized. How that is done practically is "one conversation at a time." Scott shows how to, as Shakespeare would say, "screw your courage to the sticking place" so that this clarity can consistently see the light of day. She has some interesting processes, guidelines and touchstones. My favorite take-away is to ask yourself, when analyzing a situation, "what are your pretending not to know?"



5. Fierce Conversations is a life-changing book. It brings to stark consciousness the weak, limp, lukewarm, and inhibited manner in which we converse with each other today. It reveals a style of "conversation" which we all have with others that simply is not working. The author encourages us to "come out from behind ourselves" and let people...in conversation...get to know the real us. It eschews the vapid, dead, superficial, lifeless way we talk to each other, and the abysmal results that ensue in our lives together. The book is filled with simple strategies for the reader to make his or her conversation more meaningful, more moving, and more memorable. For those who thirst for honest, heartfelt, intimate conversation, the book is a spiritual fountain of many waters. The "Fierce" in the title of the book does not mean violent, demeaning, or angry but instead brave, pure, un-prepackaged and watered down to meaninglessness, etc. It is well worth the money and is watered with many illustrations in people's work, business, and personal life.

2 comments about The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist's Guide to Success in Business and Life.

1. "What do I do when I reach the top of the mountain?" the young man asked the master.
   "Keep on climbing," replied the master.
   
   Dixit and Nalebuff got to the top of the mountain with the first edition of this book in 1991. They have continued to climb the last 17 years.
   
   I know of no higher praise.



2. If you like "game theory" -- or want to know what game theory is -- this could be the best book out there. Certainly there are more scholarly pieces on game theory, but this book is an A+ for its accessible writing, its use of examples that are interesting and a clear approach to point out how game theory comes into play every day for every person, whether we realize it or not. This book helps you understand the decision process in cooperative and competitive situations. It is better to know the "game" and how it is being played, than having the game played on you unwittingly. Highly recommended.
   
   Also highly recommended, but more specifically for business applications, is Co-opetition, co-authored by Barry Nalebuff who is a co-author of The Art of Strategy.

5 comments about The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done (Harperbusiness Essentials).

1. If you're looking for concise, simple dialogue on what it means to be effective and how to parlay that into your work life, here it is. If you are looking for a fashionable, faddy, flashy Seth-Godin-type mantra to chant, you will be vastly disappointed and fantastically bored.
   
   To those who are serious students of business and it's execution and are willing to do what it takes to be leaders, this is one of probably 3-5 books on the required reading list. Read through it quickly at your own peril, for amazing gems are buried mid-paragraph in the most seemingly innocuous paragraphs.
   
   Now for the love of effectiveness, please buy, read and apply this to yourself so I don't have to do business with you sloths anymore!



2. Skip all the "hype" about leadership theory. Drucker is the king. Years since this book was written - it is all about Executive Effectiveness. Well isn't that the same as "leadership" but just without all the hype? You bet. Buy and read this and burn your leadership mental masturbation books.



3. I am still reading this book; there are so many insights that I find myself highlighting and writing them down; then I go back to review them over and over. For the person who wants to be an Effective Executive or just an effective individual I would recommend you read this book. You can just read this book you have to put the information into practice. It is a text book for the effective leader in you. You will go back to it over and over again to ensure you are doing the right things to become more effective.



4. In this short book are some of the most trenchant, clearly-written statements on how to be an effective executive ever written. It contains some philosophical statements, more real-world examples, and most importantly, it details actions the executive can take to become immediately effective. I wish I had read this 20 years ago!
   
   Other books like Good To Great and Built To Last are excellent, too, but are more strategic. This is the tactical book, beautifully and concisely written. If you want to be effective, buy this book now. It is brilliant.



5. If you have an interest in nonprofit organizations and governance, I highly recommend this book. It provides theory and application of tools that can be utilized in any organization. Easy to read and to apply.

5 comments about The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal.

1. This book is awesome, and the concepts are so true and helpful. There are way to many books out there to help manage our time, when if we focused on our energy we would accomplish so much more in day. The book covers a number of different aspects that help you become effective in your daily tasks, each one of them could fill a full book alone.



2. The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz is great book that offers good information and practical recommendations which are easy to implement. The authors share real examples throughout the book that almost anyone can relate to their own daily life. I love the balance of energy - physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. If you aren't happy with your life - feeling stressed, overworked, down on power, missing something, ... - read this book! With an open mind and a desire to change, you will find useful information that you can immediately begin to use to change your life.



3. Since we hear so much about the challenges of time management, I really enjoyed the "paradigm" of energy management. The authors' use of illustrations with professional athletes helped drive home the point about how business professionals can apply the same principles. While reading, I took the free energy management inventory and recommend that others do, too. I found taking the exercises at the end to be quite beneficial to my own discernment and definition of purpose. Make the time to read this book!



4. I've shared this book with about 7 other people. Great book to give to friends who have lost their work/life balance - and a good reminder for myself.



5. The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life
   
   The Power of Full Engagement definitely makes the The 1% Club's Top Ten List!
   
   Ambition without peak energy is useless. This book by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz uses an athletic metaphor to illustrate how easy it is to mismanage our energy reserves, but also, how this can be corrected. This has been required reading form my clients since its release in 2003.
   
   You will find case studies that are easy to relate to and simple, straightforward action steps to address the real energy crisis. This book is loaded with great content and has excellent chapter summaries and a complete recap at the end of the book.
   
   Here is one key point that you should study further: "Most of us are under trained physically and spiritually (not enough stress) and over trained mentally and emotionally (not enough recovery)." Grab the highlighter!