Editorial Review

A concise and user-friendly guide to the essentials for conducting a meeting by the official Robert's Rules of Order authorship committee.

In a club, a condo association, or a board of overseers, how is business carried over from one meeting to the next? How is a meeting best kept on track? Who keeps the order and who decides what the agenda will be in the first place?

The answers to these concerns of assembly can be found in the rulebook of orderly meetings: Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised 10th Edition. But weighing in at over 700 pages, at least 80 percent of its content will be needed less than 20 percent of the time. Those not well versed in parliamentary procedure can find themselves lost while trying to get guidance on the everyday basics.

The solution? Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised Concise. Written by the officially sanctioned Robert's Rules of Order authorship team, this short and user-friendly "cheat-sheet" of a guide briefs readers on the rules most often needed at meetings--from debates and amendments to votes and nominations. With sample dialogues, helpful references to the "big" book throughout, and handy tips for elected or appointed officials, Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief is the essential abbreviated meeting rulebook. ... Read more

Reviews

User-friendly meeting guide
This has to be the most user-friendly book I've seen, starting with the inside of the front cover. It says, "If you only have 30 minutes" then read certain chapters.

Somehow these experts figured out what the rest of us would need to know and how we would be looking for it. Maybe they had a panel of non-experts to critique.

There are chapters detailing what the words are that you use to make something happen and how to use those words. Best of all, everywhere you look there are copious examples.

In the back are succinct tables of those same words and there is also a chapter on how to find the completely complete information on the topic in the big "Robert's" book

Most of the book is concerned with what you need to know as a member of the group. There are separate chapters for an officer of the group, which contain the things that most of us don't need to know.

This is not a book you'd save for a winter evening curled up in front of the fireplace. It's to tell you all sorts of things you'd really rather not have to know, but that you really need to know. I've already decided that mine is mine alone. Nobody is going to borrow it because it would never come back to me.

Buy this one first
Even though I have both the "in Brief" and the unabridged editions, it is only the "in Brief" edition that I take with me to my meetings. I recommend that you buy and read the "in Brief" edition first.

Everyone should read the unabridged version ....
... but let's be realistic about it; most people won't. For the 95% of us who just want our PTA, Condo Association, or other group to run an efficient meeting, this is the book to read. It tells you the most important parts about Robert's Rules -- the stuff that comes up regularly at meetings. I'm on several non-profit boards, and this is the most useful book on running meetings I have found.

Perfect tool for the job!
I was really impressed by the simple and concise manner in which Roberts' Rules of Order was explained. Perfect tool for the person newly responsible for running a meeting.

Concise, well written
A nice, concise, well-written summary which should be useful for all members of organizations which hold meetings.

Robert's Rules Rule!
If you wish to be consistent in your meetings, "Rules" is essential -- this edition allows quick checks with the option of going to the complete rules when necessary.
I recommend this brief edition highly

Great Resource!
I bought five copies of this book to give to the elder board at our church. It is helping us to conduct our meetings in a more organized fashion. I highly recommend this book for anyone wishing to brush up on their parliamentary procedure. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

The Only Book You'll Need, July 6, 2000
Just last week I returned from taking several of Jamie Jensen's road trips in the USA, and I can attest to the high quality of his book. We set out with Lonely Planet's USA guidebook which greatly failed us. Typical of Lonely Planet's laziness (their television series greatly outranks their travel books),their USA book was wrought with so many errors and outdated information that we quickly reverted to Road Trip USA thereby enhancing the remainder of our 8,200 mile trip around the USA and making it a truly educational, one month drive. We really saw the USA from beautiful back roads and will never regret it. Instead we owe a huge debt of graditute to the author and his editors.

I've used almost every travel book available when traveling, so I have absolutely no doubt that this is the best book available if you are considering taking a drive in the USA. We drove 3 of the major trips in this book--including Route 66, The Oregon Trail, and The Great River Road--and if we had depended on other books, the truth is, we would have missed almost every great site Jensen points out. He and his editors have accomplished more than I'd have ever hoped from a mere travel guide. If you use this book for even part of one road trip, you will see the real USA.

The book provides indepth coverage of eleven road trips in a lively, knowledgeable, and educated format highlighted with many great photographs and asides in the margins of corresponding trip narratives. All routes are readable from either direction one chooses to drive them as we found driving the Great River Road from south to north instead as outlined in the book--from north to south--and we had no problems whatsoever because Jensen has thought of every angle for us.

Road Trip USA is jam packed with hints, "secrets," history, gossip, lore, and myths, in addition to advice on great places to take photographs of unique sights, best spots to find perfect pie, local radio stations to tune in for local flavor, and out-of-the-way lodging and camping information that other books will not even mention. If you prefer the superhighway, this is not the book for you. If you want to see the America you hope is out there, this book will help you find it. I give it my highest recommendation. As far as I can tell, he didn't miss a thing! And I can now say without reservation, this is a beautiful country. END

Hit the Road and Live it Up, March 28, 2001
This is an excellent, excellent book for anyone who wants to take a road trip as a vacation and see the country like you've never seen it before. I used this book to see so many funky pieces of Americana: everything from a miniature Stonehenge in Missouri to the world's largest ketchup bottle in Illinois. I traveled Rte. 66 and stayed at a great little motel in Missouri (Munger Moss) recommended by this book. That motel is a must for any Rte. 66 fans: its gift shop is filled with Rte. 66 memorabilia. And it's cheap!! $25 a night with clean rooms. The whole idea of this book is to get people to see that America isn't all the same, though it seems that way when you stay on the highways. It's filled with great road trips to take wherever you are in the country, north or south, east or west. It's really an amazing country we live in and you'll find out that you can have a great vacation traveling endless roads that provide new discoveries.

You'll get a whole new perspective on areas you may have visited. And the author offers suggestions on places to go to get a local flavor. So instead of eating at a McDonald's or Denny's for breakfast, you can try a diner in Memphis that Elvis used to frequent.

A couple of my Chicago-based colleagues were very impressed when I told them I ate at Berghoff's and Lou Mitchell's in downtown Chicago. They said nobody from out-of-town would have gone there.

It's like having a knowledgeable traveling companion with you wherever you go. I enjoyed every town and city I visited on a two-week trip thanks to this book.

I've looked at other travel guides and they don't compare to this book. High praise to Jamie Jensen for creating such an informative book, packed full of useful nuggets. This book was never far from my fingertips on that trip.

I'm planning a motorcycle road trip in the near future and will definitely have this book along. I only wish I had more time to take more of these road trips.

Enjoy and happy motoring.

A Unique and Wonderful Book, June 24, 2002
When we drove across country last summer, we searched for a book that could lead us on an off-the-beaten-path American adventure. Jamie Jensen's Road Trip USA gave us more than we could have hoped for. Road Trip USA is filled with credible and detailed information regarding sites, hotels and restaurants. The book provides vivid history and current information, so you can get a real sense of the places you go. We ate crabs with the local beachhounds on the Outer Banks, had BBQ with the 9-to-5'ers in Montgomery, ate pizza with LSU fans in Baton Rouge, and drank the best beer we'd ever tasted in a tiny town off the California coast. The detailed, quirky tidbits the book includes are invaluable. What other book tells you about the B'Hai radio station that you can listen to as you drive through Myrtle Beach, SC? If you want to see the USA- not just check out the tourist sites, but see where and how other folks in the USA really live - this is the book for you.

Great road trip book, November 23, 1999
After my first trip across country, I wanted to write a real road trip book. All of my US guide books give good information about big cities but little about small towns and back roads. The real gems I found on cross country trips were a cheese factory in Wisconsin or an ice cream shop in Iowa. Luckily I found this book before my second cross country trip. It was really great. It gives about 8 different 2-lane highway routes usually stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic or from Canada to the Southern tips of the US. It doesn't cover everywhere I want to go, but it's great if you're going on a long road trip... or if you live near one of the 2-Lane Highways in the book. Although it gives information about large cities along the way, you may want a supplement if you plan on spending lots of time in big cities. This book focuses more on the interesting places between those major cities.

Great resource, June 19, 2006
I just returned from a 7,250 mile road trip, following many of the routes in this book, specifically the Great Northern to the Pacific Coast Highway to the Oregon Trail. Jamie's book contained so many useful stopping places, although if I had stopped at all of them, this trip would have taken months rather than weeks. In using the book, you have to choose what works for you - and not everything is of interest. However, he did lead me to some wonderful places like Sullys Hill Nature Preserve in Devil's Lake, MT; the Buffalo Bill Historic Museum in Cody, WY; and the museum dedicated to lumbering in Grand Rapids, MN - all of which I might well have bypassed had it not been for Jamie's recomendations.

If you are planning a road trip this summer, either near or far, this book is a great resource. It is also great for the armchair traveller. But beware, it may get you out of your armchair and on the road. Buyer beware!

A treasure trove of backroad people, places and things, May 5, 2000
Organized primarily around 11 coast-to-coast (some north-south, some east-west) trips, you may not find your current location covered. But if you're thinking of taking a long drive, or if one of the pinpoints you visit by airplane is on a route covered within, "Road Trip USA" will provide you with things to do, places to eat, people to see and a good helping of local history with which to orient yourself.

The authors' emphasis is on the unusual and the local, which means you'll find out-of-the-way cafes, odd museums, classic tourist traps and more.

Perhaps this books biggest drawback is that its nearly 800 pages is bulky, making it a bit cumbersome to carry. But then, if you're travelling by car, this isn't really a problem.

One of a few essential books I consult before heading some place new (or revisiting some place old).

A must for all road travellers, July 19, 2003
This book is quite simply in a league of it's own. I have only done (partially) two of the eleven routes. It's the little things this book has that counts and the highlights of the trip that are listed at the beginning of each chapter are handy.
Of course, this book can't be everything and I would seriously recommend also taking a good comprehensive USA Guide Book from say 'Frommers' with you as sometimes the book misses out on some things along the way that a comprehensive guide book can fill in. I would also recommend having a good road map. The maps in the book aren't the best and since you're not on the Interstate you don't want to take a wrong turn and be in the middle of nowhere lost.
So, If you're planning a Road Trip in the USA check this book out. You won't regret it (plus it's just such a neat book to have in the bookshelf that will never grow old).

Interesting but not a great reference, March 8, 2007
This book details five north-south and five east-west journeys across the US. The book is arranged into 10 sections, one for each path, each of which lists, in order, all the sites worth seeing on the particular route in that section.
While it is a good collection of sites, the book is laid out in a way that makes it useful only if you read the entire thing. There is no easy way to look up the attractions by state or as dots on a map or by type or anything like that. There isn't even a table of contents at the beginning of the book or of each section. The only reference you have to a particular site is the blurb itself.
So while some may find this to be a useful guide, I'd say it needs a bit more work before it's a good reference.

NEW EDITION BETTER THAN EVER, May 8, 2006
The new edition of Road Trip USA is an amazing read. I've used a previous edition and this edition, now in full color, is filled with inspiring ideas as well as the practical, useful information you need to take a road trip. There's regional routes and bi-coastal routes all on two-lane highways. Amazing info and great photos and illustrations for armschair dreaming. I recommend this book to everyone.

Fun for the Road, March 4, 2007
When you think of summer, and of freedom and adventure, you automatically think "road trip." Sometimes, you just want to jump into your car for a day trip and, other times, you'd love to trek around America for an entire summer. Some trips you know exactly where you're going and what you plan to see and, other times, you go where the spirit of travel leads you.

In Jamie Jensen's book, Road Trip USA: Cross Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways, we're given quality information on fun places to visit, including places where celebrities stayed, restaurants with apple pie tasty enough for a visit (or two!) and scenic locations worth seeing just for their sheer beauty.

Trivia, myths and legends provided in the book makes trips even more entertaining. The tips of where to take photographs are terrific and provide a road trip traveler the chance to easily capture the most interesting sights for friends and family back home.

I like how Jensen covers 35,000 miles of road tripping in just one book and we appreciate his color-coded routes. Nobody likes getting lost and he pays attention to the smallest details that provide travelers comfort, including the call numbers of local radio stations.

Get off the major highways and use Jensen's book for eleven road trips that you'll never forget! ... Read more

Editorial Review

About this LEARN SPANISH Book:

Spanish Language Book - LEARN SPANISH in 12 DAYS - Speed Learning Course


The Spanish Language Speed Learning Course Book for the Kindle will help you learn conversational Spanish in a very short amount of time. Are You Getting ready to travel overseas, Mexico, or Spain? Want to pick up Spanish as quickly as possible? This Book will get you on the fast track to speaking the Spanish language confidently and proudly in 12 days or less!
Learning a foreign language can be a frightening thought for many. According to them, it will just take up a lot of their time. They often disregard the wonderful opportunities that knowledge of a second language brings.

It can help you bond with people who speak the same foreign language as you do, create job opportunities and enhance your career, and impress your friends. Furthermore, engaging yourself in foreign language training actually adds self-confidence and broadens your knowledge.

That is why I extend my congratulations to you, as you have decided to improve your personal, intellectual, and social being.

Your decision to learn the Spanish language is another wise choice as it is among the most spoken languages in the world. You can never avoid dealing with a lot of its speakers some time in your life. Therefore, it isn’t really enough that you know simple greetings like hi, how are you, and basic vocabularies in Spanish.

Common foreign language trainings usually bombard you with thousands of words and phrases in their vocabulary and let you memorize them until you get used to speaking them out – without really knowing how they became that way.

The most effective way to learn a foreign language is through the linguistic approach – training starts from sounds, from which words and phrases are formed, until eventual construction of sentences using these words are made.

Did you know that…

* Sounds are among the fundamentals of one language because all through out language training, these sounds are used to speak out words and form sentences.

* Words should be learned one at a time according to the word category they belong to (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.), as they have characteristics unique to the category only.

* Sentences are actually proper arrangement of words only. Hence, enough knowledge of words and their characteristics can create sensible sentences.

* Learning a new language involves being familiar with its greetings and most basic phrases, and actually knowing how they came to be.

Linguistics, the study of the structure of a language, is an area of knowledge that is very important and effective; but is never really exposed to many. Yet you could be one of those few people to benefit from it!

In this light, I have prepared a comprehensive report to help you learn how to speak the Spanish language using linguistics … in just 12 days or even less!

“The Spanish Language Speed Learning Course: Speak Spanish Confidently … in 12 Days or Less” is the best training material for you, as you will be held by the hand each step of the way - from the basics up to the complicated topics in Spanish.

With pronunciation guides, accurate glosses, and ample examples, you will never have any problem understanding each Spanish word and sentence you’ll be encountering, until you’ll be able to create your own sentences as well.

The best thing is …

You don’t need one whole school year or even a semester to train yourself in a language that more than 250 million people speak. 12 days is all it takes to learn how to speak Spanish!

Get Your Copy Today and Start Speaking Spanish with the Fastest Method Possible... ... Read more

Reviews

bogus reviews, December 21, 2010
Interesting that the book is by J. SMITH, All of the 5 star reviews are by someone named SMITH from TEXAS except for one, which is from Cowboy from TEXAS! Talk about bogus reviews! You just convinced me not to buy this.

This is the original Best Seller Learn Spanish Book, September 15, 2010
This is the original Best Seller Learn Spanish Book. I was happy with it. However there is a revised version that has the table of contents hyper-linked and formatted better, but you have to pay a couple of bucks more, so it depends on what you like as to which one of these versions you would want to buy. Check 'em both out, same best selling book, try it out...The new edition will have the orange star-burst on the cover.

Text to speech is useless, November 10, 2010
The book may be good, but I bought it to test the text-to-speech. I was curious to hear if the Spanish would be pronounced in Spanish or in English. It's pronounced in English. Perhaps a Spanish version of the Kindle is needed to hear text-to-speech that pronounces in Spanish.

Simple Fast Learn Spanish for Kindle Course, August 3, 2010
Simple Fast Learn Spanish for Kindle Course. If you need to learn spanish fast this is a must course. No fluff. Not a bunch of garbage spanish words that you are not going to use. Teaches you spansish fast.

Good spanish learning book, November 14, 2010
I would say this book is good, not great. The revised version is much better formatted but for the price this one works. There are a few spelling errors but if you speak English already you know what it means.

Learn Spanish Fast with this., August 4, 2010
Great no fluff, to the bones spanish language book that I could use and helped me learn all the basic words fast. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn it fast and only what you need to get by. Good learn spanish book. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Very eye opening, July 5, 2010
I would recommend this book to anyone in the midst of finding their true purpose or someone who is tired of working their job just for the paycheck. It is down to earth suggestions, and it has really opened my eyes to see the opportunities in front of me.

A way of life, August 31, 2010
Very well written book. This book is a lifestyle change. I would recommend this book to anyone. This makes you take steps in the direction you need to go. It's not just a feel good book it will challenge you, so be ready.

the best book I have read on the subject., July 6, 2010
The book has many great and distinctive ideas on how to turn a hobby into profit.

Motivational & Informing!, October 11, 2010
This book was an amazing confidence, motivational and learning experience for me. I read it prior to starting a new job search and ended up meeting my goal of making a lot more money and finding a job I really enjoy (and have been enjoying for 3 years now). I recommend EVERYONE reads this even if you're not looking for another job right now. It opens up the creative mind to knew ideas and the information on how to transfer your skills to ANY industry despite your past industry experience is priceless. Can't say enough good things about it and credit the book for giving me the knowledge and confidence to go out and "live the dream" (even while others were telling me I was crazy to shoot so high!). It HAS changed my life for the better in many ways! JUST DO IT! READ IT! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Robert McKee's screenwriting workshops have earned him an international reputation for inspiring novices, refining works in progress and putting major screenwriting careers back on track. Quincy Jones, Diane Keaton, Gloria Steinem, Julia Roberts, John Cleese and David Bowie are just a few of his celebrity alumni.Writers, producers, development executives and agents all flock to his lecture series, praising it as a mesmerizing and intense learning experience.

In Story, McKee expands on the concepts he teaches in his $450 seminars (considered a must by industry insiders), providing readers with the most comprehensive, integrated explanation of the craft of writing for the screen. No one better understands how all the elements of a screenplay fit together, and no one is better qualified to explain the "magic" of story construction and the relationship between structure and character than Robert McKee. ... Read more

Reviews

Make this book LAST on your list!, October 18, 1999
There are many good works on screenwriting available. I have read several, including those by Field, Seger, and others. They have all been helpful and offer something valuable. By reading several of these books, I have gained much more than reading just one. At the very least I understand the different approaches to story, structure, etc., and am better equipped to employ my own style and method.

That said, Story by Robert McKee is the cream of the crop. The book is beautifully written, tremendously insightful. I have gleaned more from this book than any of the others. Anyone with a pen and paper or typewriter can write a screenplay. For those who wish to create a masterwork with feeling characters in compelling situations, this book is a must read. It explains the why and the how, and reveals what we as screenwriters struggle toward: a good story, well told. My only gripe was that I didn't want it to end. So I have started reading it again. My work is decidedly better thanks to Robert McKee's book. Now I fear that any books I read from this point will pale in comparison. I hope that I find another gem, and am proven wrong, but to save others from this fate, I urge you to read this book last!

Read the Book Skip the Seminar, March 13, 2004
As a novelist, I long resisted the suggestion of a film director friend to read this book. After all, what could a screenwriting book tell me about the novel form? Well...I was wrong. Story offers sound concepts that can save any storyteller hours of frustration. Story is simply first rate as a tool for diagnosing that horrible sinking feeling we all get when we know something isn't quite right with our tale...but we just can't figure out what.

I was so impressed with the book, I signed up for the seminar. McKee is entertaining, sure. But as I sat there with my well-marked copy of the book in hand (shocked, by the way, at how few others had bothered to read the [$$$] book before forking over at least ten times more for the seminar...I mean these are writers, right...and writers supposedly read?), it became painfully clear that McKee was simply marching through the text, page by page, using exactly the same examples, usually verbatim. If you are intelligent enough and sufficiently committed to your craft to read Story closely (and I mean closely, with a pen and highlighter), the seminar is a waste of time and money. Other than a scene-by-scene analysis of Casablanca and McKee's personal thoughts on politics and religion, it simply does not go beyond the book in any meaningful way.

Principles Not Rules, February 3, 2001
I've read many books on screenwriting, and Story is certainly one of the best. Its conservative, to be sure, espousing all the tenets of Classical Hollywood Narrative: Three act structure, strong active protagonists, inciting incidents, causal chain, action not words - y'know the drill.

McKee, however, is not a member of the Syd Field school. Field gives writers rules; McKee offers principles. This is a critical difference. McKee believes in the craft and art of screenwriting above all else. Consequently, Story has a different tone to Field's Screenplay . If you look beneath the surface of Story, you'll find that McKee's principles and views are far more flexible than anything Vogler or Field has offered the screenwriter.

While primarily focusing on what he calls Arch-Plot (Classical Hollywood Narrative) he also accepts the existence of other, alternative, forms. He also hails the greatness of those alternative narrative films throughout the book. These alternative narratives are not, however, the focus in Story. McKee believes that an aspiring writing needs to master the classical story form before adventuring elsewhere. His goal in the sheer bulk of Story is to educate, not indoctrinate, the reader about all aspects of Classical Narrative.

For many readers this will come across as a conventional approach to screenwriting. That it is. Unlike many other (traditional) screenwriting books, though, this is underpinned by McKee's belief in the craft above all else. He doesn't want you to just absorb, but rather think. about what he is saying. If you don't understand how a traditional story works, and how to tell one well, what chance in hell do you have of telling your multi-passive-protoganist, anti-plot, 2-act, time-jumping magnum work?

When McKee speaks of writers taking their craft to a place few ever go what he really is talking about is writers who are willing to think about what they are doing on a fundamental level.

While I did disagree with what he had to say at times (a lot of times) I did find that McKee made me understand my craft far better than most screenwriting books and teachers I've had. Combine this with Alternative Scriptwriting and/or Scriptwriting Updated, and all you need now is a great idea..

Indispensable must-have "bible" for any story writer/teller-, May 20, 1999
I bought this book at the suggestion of a friend who recently signed a six figure book contract. He told me he's taken McKee's workshop three times. I've made my living as a full time writer for national publications, and now write part time. This book is a world treasure. McKee should get a combination Nobel and Pulitzer-- a Nobel, because he has elucidated a science of story creation. A Pulitzer, because it is a literary work with the potential to influence so many. It not only serves as a tremendous help to the story teller, but I detect in it deep insights into the human condition that could be used as the foundations for new models of psychology and philosophy. This man is deep, yet so plain speaking, the book reads very smoothly. My copy is marked up with tons of notes, underlines and asterisks in the columns. It's one book I know I will be referring back to again and again. I bought it with the hopes of moving past a plateau I had reached on a novel I started 10 years ago. As I read on, page after page, chapter after chapter I kept saying to myself "Omigod," as his observations and rules led me to new insights into how to improve my story, my characters, my scenes, settings, and so much more. By the time I'd finished the book I knew I could finish my story. I don't have the story climax yet, but I know, that by using his techniques, it will come to me. And I know that my story, which already passed his most important test, is 1000% better.

"Story" is a must., January 5, 2001
When I asked my agent to recommend one book he offered Syd Field's. After I read "Story" I told him to stop doing his clients a disservice and give them McKee's book. I am a professional screenwriter, paid and produced. Most of what I have learned has come from my own deconstruction of the films I watch. On the whole I am still not a proponent of screenwriting books but Mr. McKee's book is absolutely fantastic. For those who think it provides a formula, I believe they simply do not understand the way it all works- and I'm not talking about the Hollywood game (for the same people probably don't know how that works yet either), I'm talking about the mechanics of story. This book is not for coffee shop dilletantes who think that to talk about structure is to ruin their own precious ideas, it is for those who have an open mind to being taught. I cannot recommend it with greater enthusiasm.

Better than any other writing book or course, July 26, 2001
This book is by far the best book on narrative writing that I've ever read, and is also more useful to me than the many writing courses I've taken over the years. I'm a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop (MFA) and also took many writing courses as an undergraduate -- this single book beats them all put together.

It's truly extraordinary how McKee is able to distill universal forms and principles from a huge variety of narrative writing (primarily screenplays, of course, but his insight extends beyond screenplays). One would think such an approach would be limiting and reductive, but the reverse is true: by helping the reader understand why and how effective narratives work, and how a writer should approach the creation of a screenplay, a universe of possibilities emerges.

The main problem with writing workshops is that they focus on a student's work and what's wrong with it -- it's a very negative approach, the opposite of a support group, that rarely results in genuine improvement. As McKee notes, a lot of writers go through endless revision cycles in the hope of salvaging what's good in their work. But the problem with most narrative writing seems to be in its elemental structure -- the story and its progression -- which occurs on a "pre-writing" level. Once a story is committed to novel or screenplay form, the battle to forge this elemental structure is almost lost. McKee teaches the principles that writers should follow in this critical pre-writing stage as they develop the progression of their narrative.

There's a lot of baloney being spewed in academia and elsewhere that creative writing can't be taught and that plot is relatively unimportant. McKee shows the lie in all this -- that narrative writing *can* be taught and that well-developed plot is critical. Save your money and time, skip the MFA programs, read this book and dedicate yourself to learning from it.

Success Story, April 29, 2003
On the surface, Robert Mckee appears to be one of those slick Hollywood types who trounces across the globe, charging hundreds of dollars a ticket for his seminars and rousing the masses into thinking that yes, they too can sell the next million dollar screenplay. I don't like those types.

Fortunately, I suspended my judgement long enough to read Robert Mckee's "Story," and I realized that this guy really seems to know his stuff. Moreover, I got the impression that he was holding nothing back in his attempt to help me, the reader, to write a better screenplay. "I've written Story," Mckee says, "to free you to express an original vision of life." The book goes a long way toward fulfilling this promise.

I've read several other screenplay books (Linda Seger, Lew Hunter, Ronald Tobias), and this is the clearest, most complete screenwriting guide that I've found. Unlike many of the others, this one spends the most time answering that most difficult question, "What makes a good story?"--and it answers it in ways that are entertaining and easy to follow.

You may be wary of the length (at 400+ pages, it's a hefty tome to lug), but I assure you--the length is a good thing. Mckee uses the space to explain each concept in great detail (the list of films he uses as examples takes up 33 pages at the end of the book), and in many cases this extra explanation makes a big difference. I had more "Ah-ha!" moments of understanding in this book than I've had in all other film books I've read combined.

Screenwriter's Bible, March 13, 2001
I've just returned from McKee's "Story" seminar in New York, which so far exceeded my expectations that I am speechless. I have a shelf full of screenwriting books at home and have been hurling myself at the keyboard for months while alternately trying to parse out some kind of writing process from the books I have already read. Now, after attending the seminar (worth every penny) and reading this book I feel like I have been rescued from my own mistakes hundreds of times over. McKee gets to the heart of storytelling, while explaining principles that ring so true that I can't help but see all stories in a new light, including the one that I was about to pitch into the trash. I'm not knocking film school as a training ground for writers, but if that's not in the cards for you, then McKee is the way to go. This book is a great investment.

One of the best, though not the only, January 31, 2000
It's a wonderful book, with tons of insight, and a great guide for the screewnwriter. I have read most of the books on this subject out there, and this one is not only one of the best at painting a clear picture of story structure and its importance to good storytelling, but it tells you why as well.

Is story structure (and this book's description of it) formulaic? To some degree, yes. It is certainly less formulaic than Syd Field's original books.

But "you have to know the rules before you can break them." These are the rules. Master them, understand them, realize how they came to be, and why they were made, and THEN break the rules.

This book recognizes, analyzes, and describes structure as it is practiced in Hollywood today, and has been for many years. If you want to sell to Hollywood, follow their rules, at least at first.

You cannot go wrong buying this book. Worth every penny. I took one of his seminars, and I have to say that though I really got something from the seminar, the book was even better (cheaper, too!).

The Penultimate Guide to Writing Excellent Screenplays, August 2, 2002
If you've ever wondered "Why aren't films very good these days?", you're not alone. Most of us have noticed that most movies being released are predictable, dull, and just plain boring. It doesn't matter that the films are packed with chase scenes and explosions -- we've seen it all before. Robert McKee is a visionary intent on bringing fresh creativity to movies in his classic reference book on screenwriting, STORY. He writes in the introduction to this book, "But my hope for you goes beyond competence and skill. I'm starved for great films. Over the last two decades I've seen good films and a few very good films, but rarely, rarely a film of staggering power and beauty." He adds, "I've wriitten STORY to empower your command of the craft, to free you to express an original vision of life, to lift your talent beyond convention to create films of distinctive substance, structure, and style."

If you're a screenwriter or novelist, STORY is not a mere nicety, but is an absolute must! There simply isn't any better guide to writing excellent screenplays -- and this one covers every genre and structure. McKee is a master at the craft of coaching writers, and he excels at helping writers discover their own unique strengths and weaknesses. McKee is brilliant at explaining something so basic yet fundamental as the difference between mood and emotion in a scene -- and ideas so subtle as getting the beats just right in a given scene. McKee's passion for excellence and enthusiasm are contagious, and inspire me to make my writing the best it can be.

I find myself so riveted to STORY that I feel adrenaline racing through my when I read this masterpiece. There simply aren't enough superlatives to describe how essential this book is. STORY is the penultimate guide to writing excellent screenplays, because the only thing that is more "the last word" than this book is the attainment of perfect enlightenment. Do yourself a huge favor and read this awesome book! ... Read more

Editorial Review

The 10th-anniversary edition of the New York Times business bestseller-now updated with "Answers to Ten Questions People Ask"

We attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day-whether dealing with an underperforming employee, disagreeing with a spouse, or negotiating with a client. From the Harvard Negotiation Project, the organization that brought you Getting to Yes, Difficult Conversations provides a step-by-step approach to having those tough conversations with less stress and more success. you'll learn how to:

• Decipher the underlying structure of every difficult conversation
• Start a conversation without defensiveness
• Listen for the meaning of what is not said
• Stay balanced in the face of attacks and accusations
• Move from emotion to productive problem solving ... Read more

Reviews

Foundational for discussing what matters most
There were 3 aspects of this book that made a differecne for me: Thinking Differently, Making Shifts, and understanding the Structure found in all difficult conversations. If you understand these aspects it will significantly improve how well you handle difficult conversations.

This is about Thinking Differently-- 1. This is an approach. 2. It's not about doing differently; it's about thinking differently. 3. It's about shifting from a message delivery stance to a learning stance. 4. All difficult conversations have the same structure. The structure is almost always "below the surface." It is hidden in what people are thinking and feeling, but not saying.

Shifts (with this approach)-- We must shift our internal orientation: FROM: Certainty (I understand) TO: Curiosity (Help me understand); FROM: I am right TO: I am curious; FROM: I know what was intended TO:I know the impact; FROM: I know who is to blame TO: I know who contributed what; FROM: Debate TO: Exploration; FROM: Simplicity TO: Complexity; FROM: "Either/or" TO: "And".

Understanding the Structure-- 1. All difficult conversations share a common structure. To make the structure visible, we not only need to understand what was said, but also what was not said. We need to understand what the people involved are thinking and feeling, but not saying to each other. This is usually where the real action is. 2. What makes a conversation difficult? The gap between what you are really thinking and what you are saying is part of it. 3. Our thoughts and feelings of all difficult conversations fall into the same three categories, or "conversations". 4. And, in each of the conversations, we make predictable errors that distort our thoughts and feelings and get us in trouble. 5. There predictable errors can be overcome this specific strategies that the authors suggest.

I have developed workshops based on this material that we are finding very helpful in our hospital setting.

Spend some time with this book - it will be worth your while.

Very Informative and helpful
Everyone of us has gone through difficult conversations, arguments that were leading no where or felt that we were unjustifiably being taken advantage of. The solution - read this book. The authors have done a remarkable work in presenting conversations (real examples) that we can relate to. They educate the reader with the pitfalls and means o avoid them.

In difficult conversations the participants generally fall trap to the three common crippling assumptions which are:
1. The Truth assumption : I am right you are wrong
2. The Intention Invention : When the other persons intentions are unclear a common perception is
that they are bad
3. The Blame Frame : Blame the other produces disagreement, denial and little learning

The authors map a path by showing how to avoid the pitfalls when facing a difficult conversation and come out as a winner. In our life we prepare for almost every thing, like schooling and college for career etc. it is somewhat surprising that conversations that truly are a means to progress we spend little time on; this is one of the books in this area. I highly recommend that you read it.

Conversations Need Not Be Difficult
Isn't there someone you've been wanting to discuss something with for years and, for one reason or another, couldn't broach the subject? Perhaps the subject is sensitive. Perhaps the other person isn't easy to communicate with. Perhaps you, yourself, want to avoid what you know will be a confrontational situation. I've had this problem for years with someone about a subject that needed clarification. No matter how many scenarios I mulled over in my mind in anticipation of having this conversation, they all pointed to disaster.

Not only did I read "Difficult Conversations" from cover to cover, but have already employed the authors' suggestions in broaching a sensitive subject with a family member. After years of worrying about the potential horrific reactions, I was able to elicit a positive response. The other party didn't become defensive, but, rather, wonderfully receptive to what had been preying on my mind for years.

If you're worrying about having one of those difficult conversations, believe me, it's needless. Pick up a copy of this very clearly written and powerfully effective book and discover that no conversation has to be difficult as long as you have the right attitude and tools.

Dealing with difficult people
My wife is volatile and I have a temper, so I have to walk on egg shells sometimes. I read this book and learned how to deal with my wife when she is angry and when we have different opinions. It really helped me. Another book that changed my life completely is Optimal Thinking; How to be your best self. Optimal Thinking showed me how to be my best amd make the most of any situation.

This book could save countless marriages
This is an exceptional book. Not since picking up Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" over 10 years ago have I come across a book that is destined to have great impact on both myself and millions of other readers.

In essence "Difficult Conversations" is a practical everyday guide for living and breathing Stephen's fifth habit - "Seek first to understand then to be understood". It can be thought of as a "conversational handbook" - applicable in both your personal and business lives. Recently married couples, parents of teenage children and newly appointed managers will find the book especially powerful.

The concepts are simple and if internalised could for eaxmple save the needless destruction of countless marriages. What excites me most is that it is so very readable and that its lessons are sufficiently simple that although it might take a life time to master - when applied you can see results in your own conversations and relationships immediately.

Although I've yet to find any reference to the discipline of "dialogue" (as developed by the physicist David Bohm) in the book - it falls squarely within this subject area.

A must have for anyone.
The trend in business books on management and leadership is to reemphasize
the human component. These days, authors can back up what they write
with a decade or two of research. The really good ones do this without
wandering into the touchy-feely realm that makes them easily dismissible by
old-schoolers. "DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS" is one of the good ones. It is
readable, smart and thorough. It delves into the anatomy of problem
communications in a business-like manner (the authors are from Harvard,
after all), yet the humanity of it all shines through without a touch of the
maudlin and sappy stuff that would turn off a stern businessperson. Don�t
be misled, though. "DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS" is about you and your entire
life and contains examples that span the entire gamut of that experience.

The authors lay out the anatomy of and solutions to difficult conversations
so well that by the time they were done, I was excited. I had a whole new
set of tools and in-depth knowledge. Another book that has recently
rekindled my excitement for self-exploration is "WORKING ON YOUR
RELATIONSHIP DOESN'T WORK" by Ariel and Shya Kane. This is the authors'
second book (Their first is WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK") and in it,
they delve deeper into the principles of awareness and living in the moment.
I have been a fan of theirs for some time now and reading their books has
had a lasting impact on my life and also made it easier to apply the lessons

of other books such as "DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS". I hope you enjoy both
books.

Would be a pity if it sold any less than "Getting to Yes"
It is a consultant truism that, for change to occur, it must work on three different levels: a rational level, an emotional level and a political level. The change has to be right, it has to feel right and it has to meet the needs of the key stakeholders. In saying this we are exploding the myth of scientific management and of the rational organisation that obeys well defined scientific rules. And with it comes the recognition that organisations comprise of people.

Unlike machines, people need to take part, they need to be informed, consulted and motivated. All these involve conversations, some of which are difficult. Too often we shy away from difficult conversations, thereby leaving critical issues unaddressed.

Difficult conversations are difficult because are a tangle of facts, emotions and perceptions. However small adjustments in our assumptions and in the way we engage can greatly improve the chances of success.

According to the authors, difficult conversations take place at a rational, emotional and identity level. Even at the rational level we make mistakes. We assume that we are talking about what is true and not what is important, and we assume that we know the intentions of others.

This book provides a conceptual framework within which to understand difficult conversations. It also provides the tools and techniques to handle and diffuse a conversation and convert it into a `learning conversation'. It shows how to use the third story, a neutral statement from the outside, to start a conversation and illustrates techniques for exploring the issues and solving problems. The examples are real and realistic. They showing how the inappropriate responses do lead to escalation and they are used to coach the reader through the alternatives.

In the early eighties, in "Getting to YES" the Harvard Negotiation Project showed us how to negotiate interests and not positions, Ten years later the sequel, "Getting past NO" showed how to initiate such a win-win discussion with a reluctant party, the negotiator who had not read the first book.

"Difficult conversations" is the latest in this series. It tells you how to open the dialogue even when you are one of the reluctant parties. It deals with the conversations we avoid, or which, when we don't avoid them, tend to escalate. This book is useful both in management and in everyday life. "Getting past YES" sold over three million copies. It would be a pity if "Difficult Conversations" sold any less. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Superb Insight and a Great Read, September 2, 2010
Ms. Fallows does an admirable job breaking down and explaining what learning Chinese is all about - and does this in a very engaging fashion. Her skill as a linguist gives her the skill to provide insight covering not only the language aspect of learning Chinese, but more importantly into the cultural aspect of learning Chinese, which I think is even more valuable and much rarer. For example she discusses the ramifications of using a single spoken word "Ta", but different characters to mean he, she, it and the history of the word. Her chapter on direction, orientation and maps is especially interesting because of the difference between how the Chinese arrange maps and the Western world arranges maps.

I could continue talking about the specifics, but her book overall provides valuable insight and is a great foundation for anyone trying to learn Chinese, understand Chinese culture or is planning a visit to China. I wish Ms. Fallows book had been written five years ago when I started learning Chinese - it would have vastly shortened my learning curve. Get this book today - you'll be glad did.

Great book; don't read it on your Kindle, October 8, 2010
I quite enjoyed this book. Like the author, I am a linguist who has studied Chinese, though I've only had the opportunity to make one short visit to China. This book was a chance to vicariously visit China with someone whose perspective I very much admire.

However, the type-setting in the Kindle edition was VERY disappointing. About half of the Chinese characters show up as little boxes. Another 25% are weirdly big and pixelated. It's as if they weren't aware that the book had non-Roman characters in it, or didn't proof-read. I expect better from the Kindle experience.

Chinese for Beginners., September 7, 2010
Dreaming in Chinese is a the story of how learning the Chinese language gives one a glimpse in the the Chinese way of life. It is written in a very straightforward style but is not without charm. Fallows can back the rather whimsical look at one of the world's hardest languages for western language learners with the poignant knowledge of a trained linguist. Her stories, which might seem to be light on content, are actually quick revealing and she chose each chapter's focus well as taken together, they do a decent job illustrating several key points of the Chinese mindset.

While language learners and linguists will enjoy the book, it might seem to others that the book is somewhat shallow. The author's life abroad, while a definite challenge, can come off sounding rather privileged. Learning a language is not easy and Fallows doesn't portray it as such, but she constantly references their travels and multiple homes which can make the trials of learning Mandarin seem like a luxury rather than a necessity.

As another reviewer mentioned, her presentation of Chinese varies and the lack of consistency can be disruptive to the flow of the text as well as the whole of book. If possible, the Chinese should be presented with the character, pinyin, and translation.

The book is very readable, mostly enjoyable, and well thought out.

Exquisite Approach to Life Through Language, September 4, 2010
This little book packs a wallop in terms of zeroing in on the intersection of language and culture. I just called my daughter-in-law, recently returned from two years in Shanghai, to promise her own hot-off-the-press copy within the week. How I wish we'd read it before we went to visit them in Shanghai, but Fallows herself arrived just about the same time. Her descriptions clearly capture and explain some of the daily experiences that befuddle expats, and she does so as a warm and willing learner with an academic's sensibilities. This is a wonderful book for travelers, expats, exchange students, and the college language student who's realized that Chinese will be well worth the effort.

In the last few years at our house, we've laid down a path through personal narratives of China that vividly capture westerners' China experiences, among them Susan Jane Gilman's at-once riveting and infuriating odyssey of clueless college grads in the 1980s (Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven, Peter Hessler's 1990s Peace Corps journal River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze (P.S.), Nicole Mones sumptious feast The Last Chinese Chef: A Novel, and Hessler's newest Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory. In Dreaming in Chinese, Fallows' delivers a lovely framework for them all.

What a treat!

Where it's rude to be too polite, November 8, 2010
Deborah Fallows is a linguist, but still she struggled to learn Chinese when she and her husband spent three years living and traveling in Shanghai and Beijing. Using insights she gained from her language studies, this short fun book explores Chinese culture through the idiosyncrasies of Mandarin, China's most common language. Each of the 14 chapters covers a different linguistic and cultural quirk, including why the Chinese aren't good with pronouns, why they don't often say, "I love you" and why they consider too much politeness to be rude.

A quick entertaining read, but little substance., September 13, 2010
I actually enjoyed reading this book. Its short and easy to get through. But you get what you pay for. The book feels like a non-cohesive hodgepodge of stories. I found a few of Deborah Fallows statements repeat, almost word for word, throughout her book. The book feels more like you're having a conversation with the author at a dinner party about her recent trip to China, rather than reading a well though-out planned book. This book is merely her musings on the topic, with no study to back anything up, or even interviews with experts in the field. I suspect that the rave reviews written on the back cover were from her, or her husband's friends, as they are both in the academic world and have access to these people. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book and its lighthearted read. Just don't expect anything really substantive and be prepared for repetition, even though the book is so short. Also, there is no organized flow to the book. Just a random collection of short musings on topics, often time making little connection to the language. This entire book should have been condensed into a few pages as an introduction to a Lonely Planet book on China, rather than its own book on language.

Learning Chinese Culture Through Mandarin, September 8, 2010
If anyone would like to know more about China and Mandarin,
there's a new book called "Dreaming in Mandarin",
by Deborah Fallows, that is a gem, for understanding a
little about Mandarin and through that to the Chinese people.
FaIlows is a linguist who talks about her experiences
learning Mandarin through anecdotes.

Mandarin is so different from english that the book also
teaches you things about english you never knew.
Some interesting facts:

There are only 400 syllables in Mandarin but 4000 in english.
So mandarin makes much use of inflections in the sounds,
a feature that makes Mandarin a tonal language, which
english is not, so it's difficult for us to us to make our wishes
known to Mandarin speakers. The four inflections (high, normal,
up, down) create completely different words and meanings in
M. And there are a lot of homonyms (same words but different
meanings, like different meanings for the word seal).

Fallows gives a short story of 92 characters, all of them
inflected versions of the word "shi ".

Charming & Informative Look at the Chinese Language, September 9, 2010
Linguist Deborah Fallows lived in Beijing and Shanghai with her husband for three years. The result is this charming book which is perfect for those undertaking the study of Mandarin (which she refers to in the book as Chinese) or those merely with an interest in China today. As Fallows struggles to learn Mandarin, the dominant language of China, she shows us the differences between Mandarin and Western languages, and its ties to the Chinese people's view of the world. For example,Chinese moves from the big to the small. Addresses start with country, city, street and then apartment number. Names begin with family name and then personal names. Dates are written year, month and day. Whether discussing the Chinese lack of pronouns or the special difficulties of learning to read and write the language, Fallows illustrates her points with stories from her encounters with the Chinese people and their customs.

Observations and insights into Chinese culture and society, September 10, 2010
This book is an anecdotal, autobiographical look at modern China and Chinese culture based on the author's experiences while living in Shanghai and Beijing. The author draws upon her experiences with learning and using the Chinese Mandarin language to explore a variety of ideas and themes about Chinese culture, Chinese society, and Chinese perspectives about life.

This book does not present any systematic survey or study of Chinese culture or Chinese Mandarin. However, the author does make some perceptive and insightful observations about Chinese culture and Chinese Mandarin. This book is more suitable for casual reading than for scholarly study.

Anyone interested in a systematic, scholarly look at how Chinese culture influences and affects Chinese forms of speech and communications should consider reading Ge Gao & Stella Ting-Toomey, Communicating Effectively with the Chinese (SAGE Publications, 1998).

Good read, November 23, 2010
I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting blending of linguistics and a fairly detailed look at the experieince of living in China. I found it particularly intriguing since I've been to China (including deep rural locations) many times. Her observations meshed with mine quite nicely and her knowledge of the language and customs enhanced my memories of my trips. Through reading this book, I came to a better knowledge of several of the puzzling encounters I had. Well worth reading whether you've been to China or not. ... Read more

Editorial Review

"The best college guide you can buy."
-USA Today
For more than 25 years, this leading guide to more than 310 colleges and universities-fully updated and expanded every year-has been an indispensable source of information for college-bound students and their parents. Helpful, honest, and straightforward, the Fiske Guide to Colleges delivers an insider's look at the academic climates and the social and extracurricular scenes at the "best and most interesting" schools in the United States, plus Canada and Great Britain.

In addition to the candid essays on each school, you will find:

• A self-quiz to help you understand what you are really looking for in a college
• Lists of the strongest majors and programs at each college
• Vital information on how to apply, including admissions and financial aid deadlines, required tests, and each school's essay questions
• "Overlap" listings to help you expand your options
• Selectivity statistics and SAT/ACT scores
• Indexes that break down schools by price and state
• A list of schools with strong programs for learning disabled students
• All the basics, including email addresses and university websites

Plus a special section highlighting the 5 public and private Best Buy schools-colleges that provide the best educational value

The guide the San Francisco Chronicle called "the bible."

Reviews

A Standard Guide to Colleges, November 13, 2008
The "Fiske Guide to Colleges" is probably the best known college guide in the country. This is the guide you will want to buy when you would like to read descriptions of most of the colleges that you have probably heard of. Most of the colleges and universities that the average high school student would be interested in are included. One feature that will appeal to many high school students is the ratings of a college's academics, social life, and quality of life. The social life opportunities at a college are an important consideration to a lot of today's teens. The guide rates the college's social life possibilities on a scale of 1 to 5 - with 5 being the highest. It has a similar 1 to 5 rating of each college's academic credentials that is based upon the school's reputation, the quality of its faculty, the quality of its facilities, the academic abilities of its students, and the academic seriousness of its students and faculty. There is also a 1 to 5 rating for the quality of life a school offers it students. This rating, however, seems somewhat difficult to pin down in terms of how it would affect any given student.

In some ways, the "Fiske Guide to Colleges" is the antithesis of books like "Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges". Whereas the "Colleges That Change Lives" book extols the advanages of small liberal arts colleges, the Fiske Guide seems to extol Ivy League and Ivy League wannabe schools. In fact, the author actually hints that the real reason some people say liberal arts colleges provide a better undergraduate education than Ivy League schools is due to sour grapes because they were not smart enough to get into the Ivy League schools!

Regardless of the reasons some people think small liberal arts colleges provide a better undergraduate education, there are some legitimate things to consider about the ratings in the Fiske Guide. First, the ratings and descriptions are subjective. They come from questionaires and interviews with those associated with the colleges. Ideally, it would have been nice if there would be some way to objectively consider every aspect of how a college meets the needs of various types of students. Unfortunately, there is no practical way to do that when considering so many colleges. Second, schools that the guide rates the highest academically tend to be the country's most prestigious schools (i.e., Ivy League and Ivy League wannabe schools), while most small private 4-year colleges are mostly rated academically average. However, the ratings cannot capture the value of smaller class sizes, a closer relationship of professors to their students, and a faculty in general more devoted to teaching than to research and publishing. Third, the guide's academic ratings do not prove that a school with world renown professors will give the typical undergraduate student much (if any) opportunity to learn directly from those professors. In fact, most of their classes will probably be taught by teaching assistants rather than the professors themselves. Finally, while reading the views of students at each college provides useful information about that particular college, it does not provide much in the way of comparative information. Most students will say good things about their colleges during interviews that they know will be published. The interviewed students have not attended the other colleges and are not in position to say their college is better than the others.

Despite its shortcomings, the "Fiske Guide to Colleges" is a valuable resource to have when evaluating colleges and universities. It provides College descriptions, and it includes ratings and statistics that most people will find useful.

3.5 stars... Not your first stop for college searching, July 9, 2009
Is it just me or are these college search/guidance books coming out sooner every year? I mean, we are barely into July, and here already is the 2010 edition of The Fisk Guide to Colleges. I am well aware that the publishing business on college search/guidance books is a multi-million business, but still.

"Fiske Guide to Colleges 2010" (774 pages) is a curious college-guidance/search book in my opinion. It lists the "best and most interesting" colleges in the country, about 300 out of 2,200 four year colleges in the US are written up. According to the introduction, they were selected on the basis of academic quality, geographic diversity, a balance of public and private schools, and schools that are currently popular for certain programs (engineering and technical schools, religious emphasis, etc.). Being from Ohio, I look at the list of schools that "made the cut" and inexplicably Xavier University (a fine Jesuit college here in Cincinnati) is left out of the book. Huh? While the descriptions give a good flavor of a particular college, there are essentials missing, such as the exact tuition/room/board (there is only a general 1 to 4 star rating on how expensive a college is). Also not helpful in my opinion is that the colleges are presented alphabetically, rather than by state, since most kids look at colleges in a particular state (usually their home state), although there is an index by state.

When my daughter was simply looking to get basic information, she did not spend a lot of time with this book. As she narrowed her choices, she did read up more on her pool of colleges in this book. Bottom line: if you are at the very beginning of your college search, this is not the book to start with. For that I would instead recommend "The Complete Book of Colleges" issued by the Princeton Review (the 2010 edition is coming out in early August). The "Fisk Guide to Colleges" is instead more helpful to get a second (or third) opinion once your child has narrowed down his/her selection of colleges of interest.

Detailed information with useful student feedback, August 25, 2008
This is one of the best college guides out there. It has a lot of great detailed information on the colleges including quotes from students. The number of colleges profiled is just right--enough to provide some options but not so many that it's overwhelming. I really like how Fiske shares which colleges are similar to the one you're interested in. That makes the college search a little easier.

good book.. but old school, October 10, 2008
this is a good book, but i can't help but to think that the old school college guidebook is a little outdated in today's tech-savvy world. i'm looking for a searchable tool, somewhere where i can enter in specific criteria that i'm looking for in a college and subsequently find the perfect college for me. i'd realy suggest using a website such as www.campuscompare.com that incorporates the quantitative information available in such a guidebook with the student-reviews and digital media that reveals the personality of the school, all in a searchable database, online format that i am familiar with.

A useful guide!, October 3, 2008
The Fiske Guide presents thorough information on a remarkable number of schools. In addition to basic enrollment statistics, this book provides up-to-date contact information for admissions departments, enrollment deadlines, a list of the school's strongest programs/departments, a list of similar ("overlap") schools for each college or university, and an in-depth discussion of academic and social life at each school. Well-researched and accurate. I am an academic counselor, and I refer to this book *constantly*. It is far superior to other college guides I have read. A must-have for anyone embarking on the college search process.

Read book at library,not worth purchasing., July 14, 2009
It is an interesting read, but not was I was looking for. Book is well written, clear and concise, but reads as a narrative about various colleges. Even the authors admit, the process used in choosing these colleges are selective and subjective. By choosing only 175 colleges , Many good institutions are unfortunately absent from this book. An hour spend reading this book is ample, and I doubt after reading it you would ever refer to it again. Check it out at your local library

Indispensable for narrowing choices, July 21, 2010
I have done College Admissions Counseling for 28 years. The only book I require students
to have is this Fiske Guide. Using it, we are able to decide if a school is a stretch college or not.
Some of the percentages are higher than actual figures, but the 'guide' helps to compare colleges.

great preview of colleges, October 24, 2009
Fiske gives an overview of hundreds of colleges using the same format for each school. The scores, quality of life, seriousness of each school ratings are very helpful. The only confusing part is comparing what a particular school's primary majors are with the listing of what schools have great programs in each major--somewhat contradictory.

One of the better guides, August 27, 2010
Some good info in the guide. Has more opinionated information than many of the other guides, which is good, though it tends to accentuate the positive side just a bit too much. The information about the school's "best majors" and the cross-over schools is very helpful. Would be nice if it had more detailed information that some of the other guides include. For example, it rates the schools with $ signs in terms of cost, but does not provide detailed cost information. But I suppose if you're really interested in a particular school you should be looking at their web side to get definitive cost data.

Fiskes, August 1, 2010
Definitely a good book to get to start your college search. Recommended by our college counselor & I agree, there is lots of good info to help put that list together ... Read more

Editorial Review

Snooki, Ronnie, Mike “The Situation,” JWoww, Pauly D, Sammi Sweetheart, Vinny, and Angelina captivated America with their big hair, fake tans, fist pumps, and high drama on MTV 's wildly popular show Jersey Shore. But they don't just walk the walk—they talk the talk. Relive their most outrageous and hilarious moments with these memorable words of “wisdom” on life, love, and looking good.

These are rules to live by—G.T.L., baby!

“My ultimate dream is to move to Jersey, find a nice, juiced, hot, tanned guy, and live my life.”

“I feel like this job is beneath me. I'm a bartender. I do, like, great things.”

“I have a bad habit of playing little emotional games with men. When they date me, it's cool in the beginning. We do our thing in the first month, and then I send them on a roller coaster ride to hell.”

“Let's go tanning. If we got a little time, maybe we'll go to the gym and then get ready for tonight. You need that color—a little touch-up on the paint job.”

Features an exclusive BONUS DVD — watch the most memorable moments from season one! ... Read more

Reviews

hahaha!!!, November 2, 2010
If your a fan of the show for its insight into Guido subculture, you'll find this informative. If your a fan of the show for its ridiculous nature and hilarity (as I am) its a great laugh!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Sisters are wonderful, and sisters are terrible.Depending on the day, the mood, the weather, or the time of day, a sister can be a companion, an adversary, an enemy, or a soulmate.But no matter what, a sister is always a best friend, and the combination of animal photos and quotes in this delightful gift book celebrate the unique duality of sisterhood. ... Read more

Reviews

Great Book!, October 1, 2007
I loved this book and ordered one for each of my 3 sister's for Christmas. The pictures of the animals are so sweet, and funny too! This book will definitly bring a smile to anyone's face, and warm their heart :0)

Wonderful gift!, December 26, 2007
I bought this for both of my sisters. They each cried and laughed over the images and captions. This book truly demonstrates the bonds between sisters. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves their sister and wants a fantastic way to show it! Wonderful book!

"Just Sisters", September 15, 2008
This is a precious book for sisters. The photos and quotes are magnificant. I read it every day. And when my sister and I have a problem, we quote from the book. Bonnie Kuchler did a beautiful job. My favorite is actually from an unknown. "A sister is one who will pick you up when you are down. If she cannot pick you up she will lie down beside you and listen". I'm so glad I could comment on this most beautiful book. Thank you.

Great Gift Idea!, February 22, 2008
Really great photos and sentiments on every page. Funny to read & fun to give.

Great fun and inspiration, February 9, 2008
This beautiful, inspiring little book is a perfect gift for a sister or a sister-like friend!

Makes a great gift for your sister., November 10, 2008
I purchased this for my sister's birthday.
I had to read it first and loved the photos
with the attached sentiments. This makes
a good gift from sister to sister.

Great way to express your self!, October 13, 2008
I bought this book for my sister to let her know how much she is appreciated. Since she lives far from me, I am hoping it will serve as a reminder. I added my own special notes to the quotes to add some additional laughs and tears. The quotes serve any sister well and remind us where we came from.

Touched my heart, September 29, 2008
I bought this book for my sister who is going through some tough times and it conveyed my love and support for her in words and pictures that were endearing and heartfelt.

My sister loved it, August 31, 2008
I gave this to my big sister. It was a wonderful way of saying I love you. She was very pleased with it

Perfect Gift Idea, January 11, 2008
This is a cute little book. The pictures of the animals are precious and the sayings are inspiring. I need to purchase more for my other sisters ;0). ... Read more

Editorial Review

Even the most die-hard Star Wars fans will find themselves challenged by this entertaining new approach to the details of the saga. This fourth volume in the popularaddictive Obsessed With series again includes an innovative scoring module right in the bookso a player can select questions by number or at random and keep score. With 2 500 original questions covering little known factsentertaining quotesand tough trivia from all six episodesObsessed With Star Wars will have readers dominating the galaxy in no time. ... Read more

Reviews

Fun, challenging and educational, August 5, 2008
I have to admit that I am *not* obsessed with Star Wars. I've seen Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi a few times each, but the remaining films only once. I haven't read the comics or books, either. So, I went into this expecting to have my light saber handed to me.


That being said, I still had fun with this interactive trivia book. It's electronic scoring module starts in random question mode, which selects questions from anywhere in the book. You can also change the module so that you choose which questions to try. Much better for someone like me who is "familiar with star wars".

The questions range from easy (what color is Obi-Wan's light saber?) to downright difficult. So, I think all fans will find something they like. After a few questions that were obviously from the movie that I got wrong, I wanted to go back and watch the movie again to see what I missed.

This is a great gift for a Star Wars fan. 2,500 questions will take A LOT OF TIME to get through (maybe 18 hours or so) so it's a good value for $29, even better if you get it here for a discount. The batteries are replaceable, so you can use it as long as you'd like. I am only partially through it.

A Trivia Book Worthy of a 5 Star Review, July 25, 2008
This book is awesome. For all who have ever played Star Wars Trivial Pursuit or any other game and wished there was more, here it is.

This book combines all types of trivia from all 6 movies, as well as E.U. information and real life info, i.e. actors and such.

This book, has, like it says, 2,500 questions. I was amazed at how different they are and how broad the spectrum runs for the questions. Some are short, easy to figure questions, such as changing the name of a character, where others are extremely difficult, like having to know what specific genome of a species a certain character is, or who a certain droid was from the movie.

I wholeheartedly believe this to be the best Star Wars trivia book out, and recommend it for both new Star Wars fans and hardcore fans that know every little nuance of the SW Galaxy.

Truly meant for anyone "obsessed" with Star Wars, January 23, 2009
My husband loves all the Star Wars movies, so I purchased this for him as a stocking-stuffer Christmas gift. He loved the book initially, but quickly became discouraged when he couldn't correctly answer many questions. My uncle who's an even bigger Star Wars fan gave it a shot as well, and even though he definitely answered more questions correctly than my husband, he found the questions extremely difficult as well. I recommend this book for anyone who has watched all the Star Wars movies several times since the trivia questions are very specific. Despite everything, it is a cool book, which is why I give it 4 stars.

Fun book!, April 17, 2009
My fiance loved this book for Christmas! There were tons of questions he didn't know! I love that it shuffles the questions around instead of just going straight through the book...makes it more interesting!

Great for people who think they know everything about Star Wars!!!!, February 13, 2009
I purchased this book for my step-father who is a HUGE Star Wars fan. He collects all things Star Wars and had to have the book! We were all surprised that the trivia questions were so diverse on all aspects of the series. He was even shocked to find that there were some answers he did not know (which I thought impossible). This is a wonderful purchase for anyone who loves Star Wars and is interested in the trivia from all 6 movies! Even his 6th grade students loved playing with it!!

Obsessed For Die-Hard Fans!, January 9, 2009
Received it for Christmas and was blown away of how in-depth it goes!

I pretty much pride myself on being the Star Wars "Guru" of the family, but who can answer questions about what was the name of the company that did the outer work of Padm� Amidala's starship!?

This is definitely NOT for the faint of heart. It took me about 10 questions to even start recognizing anything from memory...

So, you just may find yourself digging in or thinking about purchasing those Star Wars encyclopedias!

Obsessed with Star Wars

star wars, January 6, 2009

this was a gift for my son in-law who is a star war nut. he loves the book and thinks it is the best thing since peanut butter. the price was great and the service was also outstanding. keep up the great work.

lyle

My 30-year-old brother loves it, December 29, 2008
I bought this for my brother for his birthday and he loved it. He has been obsessed with Star Wars since we were kids, and he loves trivia. This was perfect for him, because he can do it by himself as opposed to other trivia games that require 2 or more players.

A lot of fun for the Hardcore and Casual fan, September 19, 2008
Whether you are a hardcore or casual Star Wars fan, you will certainly enjoy this book. It's not a book that one read, necessarily, but rather, a book that one "plays with." There more than enough questions to keep you entertained for quite some time. Some questions are obvious, others are challenging, yet fun to think of the answer. And yet others are more like "I've never even HEARD of this before!" The last set of questions are more for fans that, not only are VERY familiar with the movies, but also much of the literature set in this 'galaxy far, far away.' Literature such as novels and comics.

With the small, yet fun little computer 'thing-a-majig,' if you don't know the answer, it will tell you each and every time. It also keeps track of your percentage of correct answers.

It's a lot of fun that you can have either by yourself, or with friends. I highly recommend it!

May the Force be with you!

Great fun for the fan who thinks they know everything, December 28, 2009
This is an awesome book/toy. I'm 37 years old and have been a big Star Wars fan since childhood. My mother bought me "Obsessed with Star Wars" for Christmas; today is the 28th and I've already gone through almost 600 questions with a score of only 42%! If you've watched the movies many times and think you know everything there is to know, you may be surprised. Some questions are very basic ("In which robot were the plans to the Death Star hidden?") but others are incredibly specific ("How tall is Chewbacca?" in hundredths of meters). Part of the fun is seeing if you can remember the answers to the tough questions the book has already given you. It's not as easy as you think! This book is very addictive and my entire family played with it together for about two hours on Christmas day. My 14 year old son was especially enamored of it as he loves trivia and, of course, Star Wars. I would definitely recommend this for any intermediate to hardcore level Star Wars fan; a very casual fan might become annoyed at the minutiae and some of the crazy, seemingly impossible questions. I hope that this series puts out books for other TV shows and movie series as well as this concept is a lot of fun.

Note: Regarding a past review, after 600 questions I have not found one mistake. The book's answers seem very accurate to me. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Do you want to get ahead in life?

Climb the ladder to personal success?

The secret, master networker Keith Ferrazzi claims, is in reaching out to other people. As Ferrazzi discovered early in life, what distinguishes highly successful people from everyone else is the way they use the power of relationships—so that everyone wins.

In Never Eat Alone, Ferrazzi lays out the specific steps—and inner mindset—he uses to reach out to connect with the thousands of colleagues, friends, and associates on his Rolodex, people he has helped and who have helped him.

The son of a small-town steelworker and a cleaning lady, Ferrazzi first used his remarkable ability to connect with others to pave the way to a scholarship at Yale, a Harvard MBA, and several top executive posts. Not yet out of his thirties, he developed a network of relationships that stretched from Washington’s corridors of power to Hollywood’s A-list, leading to him being named one of Crain’s 40 Under 40 and selected as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the Davos World Economic Forum.

Ferrazzi's form of connecting to the world around him is based on generosity, helping friends connect with other friends. Ferrazzi distinguishes genuine relationship-building from the crude, desperate glad-handling usually associated with “networking.” He then distills his system of reaching out to people into practical, proven principles. Among them:

Don’t keep score: It’s never simply about getting what you want. It’s about getting what you want and making sure that the people who are important to you get what they want, too.

“Ping” constantly: The Ins and Outs of reaching out to those in your circle of contacts all the time—not just when you need something.

Never eat alone: The dynamics of status are the same whether you’re working at a corporation or attending a society event— “invisibility” is a fate worse than failure.

In the course of the book, Ferrazzi outlines the timeless strategies shared by the world’s most connected individuals, from Katherine Graham to Bill Clinton, Vernon Jordan to the Dalai Lama.

Chock full of specific advice on handling rejection, getting past gatekeepers, becoming a “conference commando,” and more, Never Eat Alone is destined to take its place alongside How to Win Friends and Influence People as an inspirational classic. ... Read more

Reviews

Caveat Networker, March 12, 2005
It seems like much of the efficacy of Ferrazzi's tactics lies in blurring the distinction between the personal and the professional connections. Not even church-going remains sacred.

At what point does a close-knit network become more invaluable than acquaintanceships struck during in-flight snackbreaks? Are 500 people willing to answer your calls (after the umpteenth time you've attempted to ambush them on the phone during their off hours) really an asset? Readers should keep in mind that one will not be able to fool all of the people all of the time with false pretenses of friendship. Ferrazzi's work would be more effective if he differentiated between intensities of friendship and the tactics most appropriate for each.

Further difficulties include:
-Networking Plan of Action (unfortunately acronymed NAP) includes scarcely a page of information about how to construct one.
-The arguments are often internally inconsistent: receiving an invitation to a 15 min coffee break is an affront, while sending one tops the personal arsenal list. Katharine Graham is eulogized as a champion of both "somebodies" and "nobodies." Yet Ferrazzi's lists of "people he'd like to meet" and his incessant extolling of the virtues of name-dropping seems to indicate "nobodies" are nobodies in his book. Finally, the distinction between a "networking jerk" and commendable behavior is, at best, subtle.
-For an individual so concerned with connectedness, it is curious that a bibliography or appendix of suggested reading is entirely absent.

May I suggest:
*How to Win Friends and Influence People: soft skills development
*Big Fish (a novel of "mythic proportions" by Daniel Wallace): a more sympathetic view on spin, for contemplating your own self-marketing plan or why Ferrazzi really left Deloitte.
*The Tipping Point: Chapter 2 is a more rigorous exploration of the roles the uber-connected play in social networks.

Hardly "revolutionary", December 29, 2005
The book isn't that bad, but it isnt worth buying with so many other masters out there writing about how to get it done. Here's what's wrong....

First, it's billed as "revolutionary" concepts which I found to hardly be true. Almost evey idea was something that I've read in a Covey, Mackay, Peters, etc book. Recycled.

Further, he's so proud of his accomplishments it becomes exhausting to keep up with all the great things KF did in his life.

Finally, he writes often about how he was from poor, underprivileged family and he had nothing but his "revolutionary" concepts to break him into The Club. I believe it at first, until he started (and then repeated) to tell the reader about how he went to a private elementary and HS, then to Yale and Harvard BS. He was IN the club from first grade - hardly a life course that demonstrated how unique and terrific his practices were.

Not Your Typical Networking Book, March 5, 2005
I'm a naturally shy person and I've always hated the concept of "networking." Everyone I know that practices it in the commonly accepted sense is a complete jerk. This book, however, addresses the true power behind networking; building actual relationships. I would probably give the book 4.5 stars, since too much of it is devoted to name dropping, but this small flaw does not detract from the value of the book. Mr. Ferrazzi takes the approach of building meaningful relationships with others, even when time is short. He doesn't advocate carpet bombing a room with your business cards or hanging out with people you despise as a means of getting ahead. I appreciate the fact that the author came from humble beginnings and was able to reach such heights in the world of business. There are several practical approaches that are discussed in this book that can be of help to both extroverts and the relatively introverted.

Don't let the title and attractive bright orange cover fool you, December 18, 2005
While I was reading the book, I actually convinced myself to go the extra mile and keep open lines of communication with random people (albeit, financially/socially powerful) in my naive enjoyment. However, after I finally made it through (its 250+ pgs), I realized that a lot of the content is bogus and not realistic in a "regular" lifestyle (unless your dad fed you into Yale and you cruised your way to a Harvard MBA, and then could afford to finally ask yourself what you actually want to do). I do love how some authors pride themselves on their humble upbringing, but yet somehow acsend to Ivy League undergrad & grad school through a favor. Anyways getting back to my point, do not buy the book - I recommend sitting at Barnes, Borders, etc. and reading the first 60-80 pgs (max). If you're looking for some motivation/tactics of networking, you might find it within that portion. The rest 150+ pgs just beats a dead horse. I'm a slow reader and the small amount of time it takes to hit the first 60 pages isn't worth paying for.

He has some good points., January 18, 2006
He really has something to say, but he stresses too much on his personal accomplishments. The book seems to me very egocentric. He is also very subjective and ambiguous in some of his maxims. Sometimes I had the feeling that this book is part of his networking tools, using it to promote himself and friends. But there is good information in this book; you just have to bear with the style to extract it.

A Valuable Message; Details May Vary, February 25, 2005
For all the five-star reviews that are going to pop up here in the next few days, be cognizant that the author of this book is a master networker, and is adept at calling in favors. What follows is an unbiased look at the book.

The author's message is simple yet powerful: Everything you do in life is enabled by others. The more people you know, the more you are capable of, and the more you are capable of helping others. The power of your network goes up exponentially with the number of relationships and with the strength of those relationships. Anyone who thinks that success is based solely on merit is sadly delusional.

The advice and techniques he gives are broken out by chapter. Some are insightful and useful, such as discovering what's important to people and finding ways to help them, how to work conferences, and how to connect with other well-connected people. Others are questionable from a style standpoint, and seem to serve as a boastful review of the author's own methods, such as his extravagant dinner parties, or interrupting a conversation midstream in order to call someone who is relevant to the current topic. He also emphasizes constant emailing and calling just so you don't fall off someone's radar, even if you have nothing to say to that person except "I exist". How annoying.

The book gets 3 stars for being important and relevant. It gets another for getting down and dirty in the details of connecting with people. It doesn't get the fifth star for being verbose, sometimes repetitive, and for taking such an extreme stance when most of us are mere networking mortals. At its core, the ideas in this book are incredibly valuable, once you adapt them to your own personality.

Ashamed of myself for reading this, August 6, 2005
In my own life, it occurred to me that I have difficulty staying in contact with people I know and reaching out to people I don't know. I want to do these things without being a smarmy, conniving, smily sycophant. Then I see the author on the Today show saying he could show me how to do these things and maintain my integrity too! Looks like he was just using his book's tactics to get $20 out of my pocket. It's a most elegant irony that there is actually a chapter on the "networking jerk." The rest of the book will make you exactly that. If he cut out all the self-promoting passages about his own accomplishments, the book would have 1/3 fewer pages. The only words of real wisdom in the book are but common sense that happen to be difficult to put into practice (e.g. Be generous and don't keep score). His real formula is this: Have your Dad get you into a fancy prep school, go to Yale, go to Harvard, latch onto someone with a great idea and become their protege, voila - you're a CEO.

A useful read, March 21, 2005
I am not a natural networker, so I found nuggets worth having in this book. I would recommend it to people who regard themselves as unproductively reticent. Many of the other reviews recount the book's strengths so I will focus just on my reservations.

1. Perspectiveless
Mr. Ferrazzi is wildly enthusiastic about the chance to meet people and sign deals. To most businessmen this is just a start, however. Good business starts with moments like this, but then goes on to substantial accomplishments. These accomplishments are invariably complex, as it requires addressing the needs of customers, employees, shareholders, fellow executives, creditors, suppliers and others. None of this comes into play in "Never Eat Alone". I can recall one sentence that acknowledged that a well-connected life can include complications like a spouse or child.

2. Inconsistent
An earlier review mentioned this point. Let me just confirm that I too found some of the authors positions in conflict. Mr. Ferrazzi comes very close to admitting getting burned out (who hasn't?) and finding relief in getting away (evidently to a meditation retreat, although that wasn't clear). It seems hard to reconcile that to the chapter entitled "Balance is B.S.".

3. Sometimes vague
This criticism is completely untrue of the first two-thirds of the book. However, having repeated himself rather often in that fraction, the author seems to have run out of concrete details in the last third. For example, in a late chapter he enthusiastically endorses mentor/mentee relationships. That seems very plausible, but it is unclear what is meant by the term. Does mentoring involve meeting with a young person once, twice, or regularly over a period of years? Much of the first part of the chapter revolves around Mr. Ferrazzi's relationship with his father, which is something more than a mentoring relationship. Then focus shifts to how he met his first boss/mentor, but that has only one paragraph that extends past the process by which he was recruited to his first post-MBA job.

4. Sometimes unfair.
The last chapter considers the question, "What is my legacy?" Fair enough. In response to a challenge in the last chapter, most people over the age of 40 will find it easier to recall the names of any three civil rights leaders than the last three CEOs of a large corporation (IBM, Wal-Mart, GM). But it is illiberal ask for any three people from one group versus three specific people from another, to ignore the obvious media bias, and to then wrap it all into the now-sacrosanct aura of the civil rights movement. Books designed to motivate should stay away from debating tricks.

If you, like Mr. Ferrazzi, are going to be the chief marketeer for a marketing company, then this may be just the book you need. If you need perspective on how connecting with others fits in with your myriad other skills, look elsewhere. But if you simply want advice on how to improve your ability to network, then this fits the bill.

Great action ideas. But K.F. does not relate to non-MBA entrepeneurs w/ families., September 23, 2005
So Keith went to a prestigious school. He repeats this over and over again from beginning to end. His book is 65% personal stories of meeting other VIPs, MBAs and PhDs, which could be motivational but leaves the reader in want to be inspired.
Keith apparently has no family ties or obligations, no spouse, no children, no parents to take care of. (Ironic when you reach the Health, Wealth and Children chapter.) He writes as if every other business man or woman is in the same care-free state of living as he. His life is "pinging" with colleagues and VIPs and making appointments 24/7 with as many prestigious and pedigreed people as possible and if he can't reach them, try the gateway lady (aka Admin. Assistant) because her only importance is her connection to the CEO. BTW, he never mentions taking the Admin. out to lunch.
He defends his way of living by saying that being balanced is B.S. I guess if you don't have a life either, by all means, have your lavish dinners and ping away.

Never sit next to Ferrazzi on a plane ride, December 16, 2005
I found this book difficult to take seriously. It's advice is great if you are neurotically insecure and need everyone to like you, but I seriously doubt if you'll make many friends by pinging people you meet on planes. Ferrazzi comes across as an annoyingly insecure nuisance, name-dropping like it might impress people, spewing out blindingly obvious bullet points on how to be a human being.

His approach to networking is exactly how gay men chat each other up at nightclubs. It works if you have no family, no responsibilities beyond work and can affort to flirt from one casual acquaintance to another without worrying about depth of relationship. It's the business equivalent of casual sex. Enjoy. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The essential dictionary for school, college, office and home,The fourth edition of The New American Webster Handy College Dictionary contains more features than any other pocket dictionary including:

- Boxed inserts on etymologies and language usage
- Pronunciation key on each page
- Current phrases, slang, and scientific terms
- Special notes on word origins
- World gazetteer
- Tables of weights and measurements ... Read more

Reviews

excellent and well organized, December 13, 2005
It's tough to recommend buying a thesaurus these days when there are so many resources available on the web and built-in to word processing applications that will do the job. Nevertheless, I've kept a copy of this thesaurus close at hand for decades now and I am usually much more satisfied with the results I get from using it than from electronic sources. After my copy practically disintegrated from the ravages of time, I finally sprang for this latest edition. While I can't say it looks much different from the ancient one I had, it has been updated extensively with new phrases, and more words have been added. I like the dictionary-style organization, but that will be a matter of personal preference for you. I've also found this book to be extremely helpful in studying for standardized tests. For those who take writing seriously enough to want to use the word that best conveys their thoughts, this thesaurus will be an excellent and very affordable resource.

If you write, you must have a Thesaurus!, December 19, 2005
"A Thesaurus is not a dinosaur." This is not just a play on words. I've heard it said that a printed thesaurus is a "dinosaur;" you can get everything you need from the worldwide web.

Then why do I have this copy next to my computer?

Look, the www is convenient and accessible... except when it isn't. The right word is there... except when it isn't. And this paperback edition of the New American Roget's College Thesaurus is so inexpensive, it IS always there, just like my trustworthy copy of Webster's Dictionary.

If you know you are going to be marooned on an island for a few years, bring along a copy of this book. If you end up having nothing to write on, you can at least use it as a fire starter!

One of the most handy and user-friendly thesaurus, July 27, 2002
This is one of the most handy and user-friendly thesaurus that I've used. It helps make the occasionally irksome word hunts efficient and a delight. This is an excellent first reference point that usually suffices without the need for consulting a more elaborate thesaurus.

Warning: This reference book can be addictive once you discover its vocabulary-enchancing functionality and even its entertainment value.

Puts most others in the shade, November 8, 2000
This is easily the best pocket-sized thesaurus that I have seen, and I own more than a dozen thesauri, large and small. A more comprehensive thesaurus with excellent word lists (e.g. horse breeds, phobias, shades of red etc.) is The Concise Oxford Thesaurus (ISBN: 0198601263). However, for general writing, I think this one has the highest value-to-weight ratio.

Roget's Thesaurus in Dictionary Form, August 5, 2006
I find this reference book most helpful due to the fact that it incorporates the style of a dictionary. It provides abundant information for words which assist me in utilizing them in numerous formats. I recommend this item with confidence to anyone who wishes to improve their writing skills.

A Very Formidable One!, September 30, 2004
I came across this one long time ago.....it is really addictive....and very beneficial too.....helped me a lot to improve my english.....I have got this one and the roget's 21st century thesaurus in dictionary form by Barbera Ann Kipler.....and would suggest people to buy both of them......i am quite experienced in the matter of thesaurii....and as far is this book is concerned.....it isvery very concise,handy.....and...user friendly.....and written in a detailed manner...

The Best, November 4, 2006
My High school copy of Rogets Thesaurus finally went from 2 pieces to 4. I've tried other thesaurus, but I prefer Roget's. So naturally I bought the Roget's.

Avoid this if you're looking for definitions, April 27, 2007
I bought this as a handy way to look up words I was unfamiliar with (BA English Lit) as I read. As I read a popular newsmagazine, a popular British murder mystery and watched a popular TV comedy, I looked up about a dozen words. Only about a third were listed, and a few of those had incomplete or erroneous definitions. VERY disappointing.

I guess this could help you spell.

The preferred first stop thesaurus, February 25, 2003
This very handy and useful thesaurus is one of my most valuable aids to the English language. It makes me write with more impact while steadily enhancing my command of words. Its the first step to making words work for you.

Not truly College level, February 12, 2009
I have a BA in History, but that doesn't mean I don't come across words I don't know. I wanted a handy, AUTHORITATIVE book for the nightstand for those odd words that come up in history texts (and, yes, novels). "Strake" is a good example (thank you Bernard Cornwell). That word is not in this book. Neither is the "F" word - ironically, the true touchstone of collegiate work. This book is good for the High School level, but would flunk for any college level. Sad, because Webster's hardcover collegiate is one of the best. ... Read more

Editorial Review

In this New York Times bestseller, Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Chris Hedges has written a shattering meditation on American obsession with celebrity and the epidemic of illiteracy that threatens our cultural integrity.Reporting on such phenomena as professional wrestling, the pornographic film industry, and unchecked casino capitalism, Hedges exposes the mechanisms used to divert us from confronting the economic, political, and moral collapse around us.Empire of Illusion shows us how illiteracy and the embrace of fantasy have impoverished our working class, allowed for the continuance of destructive public policy, and ushered in cultural bankruptcy. ... Read more

Reviews

An anguished, angry cry of outraged reason, July 16, 2009
Chris Hedges' newest book may be a screed, but it's an uncomfortably accurate one, delving into the addictive, corrupting hold of comforting & distracting illusion over too many Americans. From the even vaster wasteland of TV, brought to us by endless channels, to the drug of sensation at its lowest common denominator from the porn industry, to the "think happy thoughts" snake oil of both New Age & fundamentalist belief systems --

But you have to stop & catch your breath, or else be swept away by the torrent of mediocrity & cheerfully willful ignorance that passes for contemporary culture & thought. Once you're aware of how thoroughly blanderized & infantilized our culture has become, it's all too easy to succumb to despair or cynicism. And with good cause!

Hedges wisely selects just a few specific examples as indicators of something far more pervasive & widespread. Particularly disturbing is the chapter on the so-called "adult" entertainment industry, which is anything but adult. The graphic description of the ways in which women are used & discarded as commodities is sickening, yet we're clearly just getting the tip of a very slimy iceberg.

And Hedges connects this aspect of dehumanization to the horrors of Abu Ghraib, showing how sexuality & torture intertwine. Most disturbing of all is how accepted & mainstream this sort of "entertainment" has become -- we're not talking about erotica or old-fashioned porn, which at least portrayed sex as mutually enjoyable for men & women; what we see now is humiliation, suffering, pain, almost all of it inflicted on women for the pleasure of emotionally stunted men.

More than that, though, Hedges explores the ways in which reason & literacy -- the humanities -- are shunted to the margins in favor of a utilitarian mindset, one that boils down to, "What's in it for me, right now, and how can I get the most of it as quickly as possible?" And that "most" is wealth, status, power, and the illusion of importance -- a humanity measured in things, rather than in being.

From that point, we're shown how these personal illusions contribute to & help sustain a national, even global, illusion of power, self-righteousness, corruption & control. It's bread & circuses for the masses, with digital soma mainlined at every waking moment. Meanwhile, the real elites, the corporate masters of our world, do whatever their insatiable appetites demand. This invariably requires bloodshed & suffering inflicted upon those least able to resist it. .

Is Hedges overwrought? Is he exaggerating the crisis at hand? If so, it's not by very much. As a war correspondent of some 20 years, he's seen the brutal results of illusionary thinking first-hand. This book is born of bitter experience, as Hedges bears witness to the ongoing destruction of the human soul, which is lost in a world of glittering superficiality which can't conceal its innate cruelty, ugliness & emptiness.

Not a reassuring book by any means, but certainly an eye-opening one -- most highly recommended!

Interesting if gloomy reflections by a former New York Times reporter, July 20, 2009
Hedges describes how corporate entertainment encourages people to desire to be rich and famous, devote themselves to material things, reckless self-gratification and reckless consumer spending. It encourages people to care much more about news relating to celebrities than genuinely important news. Hedges analyzes episodes of WWE wrestling, Survivor, The Swan and Jerry Springer to back up his arguments about pop culture.

Chapter 2 is about porn. Porn actresses are portrayed by porn mediums as nothing more than wild beasts whose only desire is to satisfy the sadistic fantasies of men. Most porn actresses are heavy drinkers and drug addicts as a result of the mental pain and serious physical damage to their private areas, front and back, caused by their line of work. Most of them appear to work in escort services on the side. Hedges give an account of one porn movie featuring an actress who engages in the very unhealthy activity of engaging in sex acts with 65 different men over the six hour shoot of the film. Porn is one of the biggest industries in this nation; a great many of our male citizens appear to take pleasure in the degrading and brutal version of sex found in modern porn.

The last chapter is a sort of general overview of the dismal state of this country. Hedges writes that our financial crisis is rooted in the destruction of American manufacturing since the 1970's. An example of the decline of American manufacturing ability, he observes, occurred when the city of New York in 2003 offered a several billion dollar contract for a company to build subway cars. No American company took the offer, which was eventually given to Canadian and Japanese companies. Since the 1970's our economy has rested on the accumulation of un-unsustainable amounts of corporate and house-hold debt, used to a large extent not for productive investment but for participation in speculative bubbles and consumption to support luxurious living. Our economy is kept afloat by the willingness of foreigners to buy up this debt. As government social services are continuously slashed, the bailouts of 2008/2009 have only strengthened the stranglehold of corporate America on our economy and government resources.

While the annual compensation packages of CEOs soar well into the tens of millions of dollars, the median American family income has declined in inflation adjusted terms since the early 70's. We call ourselves a free market economy but a leading pillar of our economy is the taxpayer funded military-industrial complex, powering companies like Lockheed Martin. Hedges notes the example of the US government's annual provision of 3 billion dollars of taxpayer funds to the dictatorship in Egypt, 1.3 billion dollars of which (taxpayer dollars) is required to be used for purchasing weapons from private American defense companies. The US uses half of its annual discretionary spending on the military and spends more on its military than all the other countries in the world combined.

While trillions of dollars are spent on weapons and foreign occupations, our health care costs spiral out of control. Hedges writes that our private health care system is nearly twice as expensive as the national health services "in countries like Switzerland."Hedges notes how the percentage of budget devoted to overhead and administrative costs in our for profit health system is so vastly greater than the same costs in traditional government run Medicare. According to the Institute of Medicine, 18,000 people die every year because they can't afford health care. 46 million Americans have no health insurance and 25 million more are under-insured. Half of all bankruptcies in the US are due to health care costs overwhelming family budgets. Americans pay 40 percent more than Canadians for prescription drugs. Our politicians, Obama included, do everything they can to accommodate the for profit health care companies. In his overview of health care problems, I wish Hedges would have included some comparisons of a few health indicators between the US and some of the countries that have the most efficient socialized medicine systems.

Meanwhile, our politicians have covered up our unraveling. According to Hedges, the Consumer Price Index is constructed to under-estimate the real rate of inflation. Ronald Reagan lowered his unemployment rate by including members of the military in the employment count. Bill Clinton lowered the official unemployment rate of his reign by excluding from the employment count people who had stopped looking for work and also by counting low wage under-employed workers as employed. American jobs have gone to the low wage third world. Hedges notes that, contrary to Clinton's prediction in 1993, NAFTA has thrown 2 million Mexican farmers off the land and many of them have ended up in the US. Even more illegal immigrants have come from Mexico as northern Mexican factories have closed down and relocated to the even lower wage and even lesser regulated paradise of China.

Hedges gives a great deal of space to quoting various scholars and philosophers in order to back up his sociological observations. Other topics he discusses include positive psychology, the destruction of higher education and the willingness of corporate media hacks to take at face value the words of the powerful.

Hedges suggests possible future scenarios where most Americans are virtual corporate slaves, controlled and monitored by the ever expanding power of law enforcement. He fears that the biggest contrast in this country will be between a marginalized literate minority on the one hand and on the other a barely functionally literate or functionally illiterate majority enchanted by corporate entertainment and the vacuous PR spectacles and slogans of politicians. He fears that as social conditions worsen, right wing demagogues will make great headway. He is very worried about future environmental catastrophes. However he ends his book with the hope that decent human values can be utilized to confront our growing corporate tyranny.

Entertainment is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, July 3, 2009
Chris Hedges, the Pulitzer-Prize winning author of "War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning" and "I Don't Believe in Atheists", is back with another diatribe about our morally-bankrupt society. Whether you agree with all of his assertions or not, "Empire of Illusion" is a necessary, thought-provoking work on the role of entertainment in American culture.

Particularly fascinating is Hedges's take on professional wrestling. Whenever an academic brings up wrestling, it is usually as an example of low-brow culture. Hedges doesn't snub his nose, however: He merely observes and reports.

His thesis that wrestling storylines have "evolved to fit the new era...by focusing on the family dysfunction that comes with social breakdown" is on the money: Gone are the simple bouts of good vs. evil. "Morality is irrelevant," he writes. "Wrestlers can be good one week and evil the next. All that matters is their own advancement." The "illusion" here isn't that wrestling is fake. The "illusion" is that the wrestlers are idealized versions of what we want to become. He asserts that this mirrors a fundamental change in society.

Hedges traces this change through other American institutions (reality television, celebrity culture, the adult industry, universities, psychologists), arguing that we are "unable to distinguish between illusion and reality". We forgo morals for an elusive and unattainable happiness. He states that we "will either wake from our state of induced childishness...or continue our headlong retreat into fantasy".

The subtitle--"The End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle"--is somewhat of a misnomer. Even with the alarming illiteracy rate in this country, it's a stretch to say that literacy has literally come to an end. "The Triumph of Spectacle" is a more accurate description of the book's contents.

"Empire of Illusion" is a snapshot of America, circa 2009 AD. Some of the precepts that it touches on--such as universities churning out morally-dubious graduates--are already coming under populist fire due to the banking crisis. WWE, wrestling's most popular promotion, has toned down the sex and violence in recent years. The once-popular Jerry Springer Show limps along on basic cable, its cultural relevancy having long since expired.

Hedges believes that the financial crisis "will lead to a period of profound political turmoil and change." In a recent Truthdig article, he wrote that "Those who care about the plight of the working class and the poor must begin to mobilize quickly or we will lose our last opportunity to save our embattled democracy." "Empire of Illusion" makes a strong case to be the much-needed cry for arms.

This kind of writing often generates more heat than light..., July 7, 2009
Empire Of Illusion is a tour of the fractured American Id, a study of social breakdown in the Decline and Fall model, and a barely muted howl.

That's a lot of freight to load on to one train. Sometimes it works, especially when Hedges in on areas he knows well, especially the corporatization and "dumbing up" of the university environment (where certain skill sets and bodies of knowledge are heavily emphasized and others are marginalized and neglected)....

At other times it is grotesque and morbidly depressing, as when he details, at length, how the adult entertainment industry really works and what it does to the minds, bodies, and souls of those who choose to work there or have no other options but to work there. Perhaps it could be metaphorically described as a slaughterhouse of the emotions. Industrial scale soul rape. It's pretty nauseating and if you would rather think about other things, you might want to pass up reading this book.

However, Hedges claims that the primary audience for the open porn sites are preadolescent to adolescent boys, roughly ages 11-17. It is hard to imagine constant and unfettered exposure to hard core pornography in this developmental window NOT having severe adverse long term effects on these young minds.

Hedges would have vastly improved his analysis if he had stepped back and drawn historical parallels which might help understand how societies are changed by destabilizing inputs such as these. For example, during the Vietnam war, Ho Chi Minh (does anyone under 50 even know who "Uncle Ho" was, or do they care ?) made a strategic decision to supply American troops with as much high quality dope as they could consume, particularly tropical strength cannabis, opium, and heroin, including the notorious Double Uoglobe 98% pure smack that was being shpped back to the USA in the body cavities of troop corpses by Air America. Ho Chi Minh fully undcerstood that a society could be brought to its knees by flooding it with substances that it didn't have the will or the resources to control.

One might see an ominous parallel with porn flooding in the twenty first century and dope flooding in the 1960s and 1970s. Unfortunately, Empire Of Illusion doesn't give us any illuminating historical cross referencing of that sort which might help contextualize current events in the light of historical events. Everything is seething and crumbling in the Big Now.

Professional Wrestling comes from a long tradition that includes Roman gladitorial spectacles, medieval morality plays, medicine shows, vaudeville acts, and cinematic weirdness like Three Stooges or hideous daytime effluvia like Queen For A Day...once rated in the Guiness Book Of World Records as the worst television program ever produced.

Again, we are provided a present moment snapshot of WWF style wrestling without a satisfying understanding of how it came about or how it, and related spectacles operate in and on the American psyche.

Somehow, this work may have been better served by the ironic detachment and sense of absurdity that one finds in Hunter Thompson or the sociology of Erving Goffman. Walter Kirn, in his _Lost In The Meritocracy_ gives a much better feel from the inside of the fine details of higher education
as a training in Upper Newspeak.

When economic subjects arise, we would have been better served if those economic claims were substantiated with charts, tables, and other evidentiary materials that would allow us to connect Hedges' reasonings and his affective responses in our own minds. If one is going to grandly proclaim the imminent collapse of the western economic scaffolding, I'd like to see some darn convincing analysis of why one ought to believe this, rather than possibly we're going through one of our periodic economic (and societal) troughs which tinctures our thinking with darkness and gloom.

Hedges writes everything that needs to be written! Fantastic book., October 15, 2009
This book is superb, I really can't say enough good things about it. Take a couple quotes: "When a nation becomes unmoored from reality, it retreats into a world of magic. Facts are accepted or discarded according to the dictates of a preordained cosmology. The search for truth becomes irrelevant." (p. 50) "The specialized dialect and narrow education of doctors, academics, economists, social scientists, military officers, investment bankers, and government bureaucrats keeps each sector locked in its narrow role. The overarching structure of the corporate state and the idea of the common good are irrelevant to specialists. They exist to make the system work, not to examine it." (p. 98) I could go on and on citing terrific passages.

Though this book is a screed, it is a spot-on screed. Hedges hits, what I believe, are the major reasons why we Americans are essentially locked into a downward spiral as a culture and country. He starts with Pro-wresting as a prime example of how media panders to the me, me, me attitude infilitrating popular culture. Reality TV, celebrity narcissism and how Americans, in general, are becoming a functionally illiterate society. Hedges then moves into explaining how the Porn industry has lead to an entire sub-culture that promotes a 'women-as-objects' mentality, which destroys some men's ability to have meaningful relationships (Warning: this chapter, to me at least, was pretty raw). Next, Hedges points out how a cycle sustains itself between elite educational institutions (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc.), the Government (think Congress in particular) and Corporations. Ivy league schools basically turn-out lackies that do whatever is necessary to maintain their elite, self-absorbed status. The last chapter is entitled, "The Illusion of America," and this is where Hedges does a fantastic job of pulling together all the elements of this disfunctional society we live in. You could probably read a dozen books about each of these elements and put them together yourself, or save yourself the trouble and read this one. It's short enough to give to a friend and not have them give you the "evil eye;" yet, it's long enough so that nothing is glossed over. I can't recommend this book enough.

Here's a list of some of the more popular books Hedges cites: Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and StickYou with the Bill), The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power, The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism (American Empire Project), The Last Professors: The Corporate University and the Fate of the Humanities, Where Have All the Intellectuals Gone?, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show BusinessDemocracy Incorporated: Managed Democracy and the Specter of Inverted Totalitarianism.

Distressing - I Hope He's At Least a Little Wrong, October 21, 2009
This is a simultaneously cogent (if a bit strident) and disturbing view of America. I'd rather not believe that we're headed to as dark a place as this book indicates, but there is little to dispute here. I think all Americans should read this, but with 80% of us never picking up a book over the course of a year, it seems unlikely that will happen. Eminently readable, alarmingly logical account of where we are and where we are likely headed.

A little less shadow, March 14, 2010
I have never seen an interview, read an article or book by Hedges that I didn't like. So, I may not exactly be unbiased. The guy writes just like I'm thinking.

I write a column for a small newspaper in very rural Kentucky. Palin country. Along with most of the news, I also write a column; and my column is much like Hedges. It is not pretty, it is not exactly hopeful. But it is the truth as I see it.

In this book Hedges approaches a subject that has been of interest for quite a few years now. And that is how our "reality" is constructed for us. Few have the ability to see behind the curtain, or see beyond the shadows on the wall... pick your metaphor.

The last chapter is worth the price of the book. It lays it out there. We are dooming ourselves by immersion in illusion. And as things get worse, I see the thousand yard stares in people. There will be a price for not waking up, yet the ones who have a vested interest (in the short term) of us not waking up control the very methods of dissemination of truth.

I was not particularly taken with the wrestling and pornography examples. For one reason is, we are aware they are fantasy. Better to show how much of what we consider as real as being fantasy.

The domination of pseudo-reality (3.5*s), February 17, 2010
Despite this book being disjointed, uneven, repetitious, and perhaps overstated in places, it is hard to disagree with its main sentiment that American society is living a lie; fantasy, illusion, and escapism infuse our society, economy, and political system with severe consequences. The most pernicious illusion is that corporate capitalism, including the shift to a dominating financial sector, if left unregulated and allowed to expand at will across the globe, will produce undreamed of benefits for all. For the last one hundred and fifty years, the massive, periodic meltdowns of the economy, including the recent financial crisis triggered by the irresponsibility of Wall St. executives, have not impacted this fiction. In spite of that willful obliviousness, the social costs to tens of millions of people, due to the machinations of corporations solely concerned with profits, buttressed by government enablers, have become so significant that the author is alarmed that not only is our society dying a slow death, but along the way is likely to descend into fascism or totalitarianism.

How can the United States have gotten to this deleterious situation with an open, democratic society and political system? A democracy requires knowledgeable citizens and hopefully altruistic elites. Sadly, huge portions of our society are in thrall or susceptible to mind-controlling diversions and propaganda that effectively conceal the true nature of our society and economy. The author notes the inordinate hours devoted to corporate-produced entertainment, spectacles, pseudo-events, and non-stop images, many of them inviting celebrity worship, but none remotely concerned with reality. Ironically, some of those distractions, such as rancorous wrestling shows or xxx-rated images, provide an inconsequential outlet for frustrations without confronting the real source of hardships. And then there is the pseudo-academic community that promotes the power of positive thinking, as though one can simply will away, or even reverse, the devastation of being unemployed with no health insurance. Supposedly bastions of reason and free thought, universities have become corporate research arms and training grounds for future corporate employees who have no interest in upsetting that order. Both students and professors interested in social inquiry are marginalized. Journalists and elected representatives, who in theory dig beneath the superficial and do what is best for the citizenry, have become mere "courtiers" for the power elite. The author is adamant that democracy and corporate capitalism cannot co-exist - powerful elites will always overwhelm the less powerful, directly or indirectly.

In addressing the potential for individuals looking at structural reality in any realistic sense, he alludes to those in Plato's cave allegory who are content with shadows on the wall. Removal from the cave is viewed as highly stressful: sunlight, that is, reality, is too much to take. Likewise in the US, illiteracy dooms tens of millions to visuals of pseudo-reality. The author suggests that perhaps a majority of Americans, though not illiterate, would not have the language skills to follow the exchanges of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. In the face of this living in the shadows of reality, perhaps even preferring to, where is the hope for American society turning around the corporate agenda? Some place their hopes in the Obama administration. However, virtually all of his high-level appointees are former members of the very corporations that have caused so much destruction. There is no possibility of them advocating needed structural changes. Obama undoubtedly has as much ability as any president in history, yet his elitist ties, both educational and professional, preclude his attempting to take on the monumental project of revamping the economy.

The author brings to bear relevant insights from any number of individuals: C. Wright Mills, Sheldon Wolin, Ralph Nader, Karl Polanyi, Jared Diamond, and the like. In an interesting exchange, the author replicates an interview conducted by Bill Moyers of Tim Russert, the moderator of Meet the Press, in his interview of Dick Cheney concerning the justification for going to war with Iraq. Russert, in complete abdication of journalistic credibility, allows Cheney to refer to a story that he planted in the NY Times as evidence that Hussein was engaged in pursuing nuclear material - a perfect example of the sycophancy of those entrusted to keep the public informed.

The author notes that Jared Diamond, in his book "Collapse," claims that the collapse of civilizations invariably comes down to elites who fiercely hold onto the status quo if there is any chance that their status could be undermined by tackling a crisis at hand, even one with catastrophic implications. In addition, the author speaks to the kind of reactions that could be spawned if personal and economic despair do not abate. He suggests that corporate elites will "seek to make alliance with the radical Christian Right and other extremists, will use fear, chaos, the hatred for ruling elites, and the specter of left-wing dissent and terrorism to impose draconian controls to extinguish our democracy. And while they do it, they will be waving the American flag, chanting patriotic slogans, promising law and order, and clutching the Christian cross." (189) Given trends over the last thirty years, that scenario is not as far-fetched as may seem at first glance.

As stated, the book has some unevenness. For one, the author wants to believe that America once had some sort of golden era, referring to the calm, prosperous 1950s. He should know that era was an anomaly in our history. He had it right when he notes the incompatibility of democracy and capitalism. Furthermore, in the end, he clings to a belief that love will prevail, even if "darkness has swallowed us all." And that is comforting? Basically the book is entirely pessimistic; spectacle has triumphed. The author presents some interesting bits. There is always a new outrage. But it would seem that he is preaching to the choir. Those who would appreciate this book don't need convincing. Others are likely to see the book as little more than a tirade against the deserving.

A worthwhile, though unpleasant rant...but read Wendell Berry, October 8, 2009
I agree with those reviewers who rate this book at 3 or 4 stars and who have pointed out that it is largely a rant, with far too much gory detail on the symptoms of America's cultural decline, to the point where Hedges is almost rubbing our faces in it. But it is a rant worth hearing, with potential to stir the complacent.

I only comment to add that readers who would like to read a more elegant and, to my mind, more persuasive and compelling account of how our culture has been systematically degraded to one essentially "colonized" by financial, technical, professional, managerial and academic elites devoid of any real sense of the common good--which was, after all, the whole point of our experiment in self-government--might want to turn to Wendell Berry's many excellent collections of essays.

I am thinking in particular of The Art of the Commonplace, What Are People For, or Citizenship Papers. Hedges mentions Berry as a prescient critic of America's "march of folly," and he provides a long Berry quote at the end of the book's introductory chapter that pretty neatly sums up the whole book, as does Berry's incisive observation in his latest essay on our "anti-economy" in the September 2009 Progressive that our society has become "sucker-dependent," with manufactured anxiety and human wants in the foreground and real, grounded human needs--like food, land and community--forced into the background. So, if you are even a tiny bit unnerved by Hedges' screed, please read Wendell Berry (not to mention Christopher Lasch and Neil Postman, whose cultural critiques Hedges largely echoes), and let's let the tough, thoughtful work of rebuilding a real America begin with us, shall we?

Flawed, but essential reading, September 28, 2009
I give this book 5 stars based in the same logic that Rolling Stone applies to its 5-star ratings for music albums. If, according to Rolling Stone, an album is essential to any comprehensive modern music collection, they rate it five stars. In that same spirit, I would say that Hedges 'Empire of Illusion' is essential reading for any engaged citizen of the U.S. (or anywhere else, for that matter, but "we're" really the ones who should be taking this warning to heart).

Certainly, the book is flawed. For example, I do not think that the thesis of the book -- that we've erected and maintain a purely illusory empire that is destined to crumble -- is set up or supported well enough in the text. I do, however, think that the main thesis is _correct_. The supporting chapters (on wrestling, porn, higher ed, etc) feel too anecdotal. The main thesis is not established clearly enough, early enough, to wade through these rather long-winded chapters with a real understanding of how, exactly, they support the main thrust of the book. There are mistakes and/or editing errors as well. One in particular that made me cringe, considering it was in a chapter on the increasingly widespread ignorance of the humanities, was when "The Jungle" is credited to Sinclair Lewis rather than Upton Sinclair. That, in itself, might be an egregious enough error for anyone who want to dismiss the entire book to justify doing so. It's too bad, really, that it's in there (maybe this was corrected in the paperback?).

All that said, the body chapters are interesting and paint a clear and terrifying picture of a sad and empty contemporary culture in precipitous decay. What makes the book absolutely essential, however, is the final chapter. It is, perhaps, the most succinct, convincing, and damning condemnation of globalization (and, specifically, the USA's role) I have ever read. It's as convincing as, for example, Klein's 'Shock Doctrine', but it cuts an even wider swath. And it's more up-to-the-minute as well. While depressing as hell, this book has also reinvigorated and re-radicalized me. I may not have much "HOPE" that the Democrats will make much of a difference, but I am damn well ready to help bring this crushingly morbid system to its knees. God rest its soul when this system of death finally dies. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Following the success of the first edition, the updated and revised DC Comics Encyclopedia offers even more incredible DC detail and imagery than the original. 48 brand-new pages include major updates on characters and storylines (including the recent "Infinite Crisis" story arc). This spectacular, up-to-the-minute encyclopedia will delight comic fans of every age. ... Read more

Reviews

Nice Hardcover Collection, October 4, 2004
Many folks for years have been wanting DC to revisit their Who's Who series from the mid-80's, an A to Z covering of characters. This new hardcover fits that bill in a solid, colorful volume. The wrap around cover by Alex Ross is beautiful and eye-catching.

As for the book's interior, it is obvious a lot of effort was put into this. Four main writers handled the text portions, with art taken from hundreds of artists across the decades.

Naturally, there will be a few errors that creep into something such as this. I found characters in group shots mislabeled, and the occasional wrong fact in an entry. These things probably should have been caught in final proofing. I can forgive them though as they are few and far between.

The one thing that becomes painfully obvious to this long time comic reading fan is that the focus of this tome swings heavy to the post-Crisis universe (understandable as that is what the current continuity is - stuff reorganized and introduced since 1986). This tome makes it obvious that continuity is in fact constantly in flux, being rewritten and reworked. The book is uneven in that at times it takes both old and rewrites into account. Examples include the Legion of Super-Heroes stuff and the Doom Patrol relaunch from earlier this year.

Still, it is a nice coffee table tome and good for quicky research on characters and such.

A nice guide to the DC Characters, November 20, 2004
Some people may gripe over that their favorite character got only a small entry in the book but I was surprised at how complete this book was.

Lets face it, unless DC reprints Who's Who you are not going to get a complete guide to the DC characters, this book is made to represent as many of their characters as they could. I enjoyed the entries about the lesser known characters and being given updates on some of the heros and villians I had followed but lost touch with.

The DC Comics Encylopedia makes a nice gift for any comics fan.

Awesome information, September 24, 2005
I really didn't know what to expect when I bought this book. It was just something to help me figure out who some of the characters were in the DC universe. What I found was a history of EVERY character DC has ever created! There were some really obscure characters in there dating back to the 1940s that I had never even heard of.

If you're into DC comics, it's well worth the price. I know I've had hours of fun reading the different entries on not only the characters I knew but many I didn't.

A very good try..., November 19, 2004
As a fan of DC comics and a collector of its 'Who's Who' series from way back I was very pleased to see a large, hardbound encyclopaedia of the DC Universe. Flipping through it at my local bookseller's left me pretty pleased with the work overall and so I purchased it to go over in more detail later. The Devil, as they say, is in the details. Going over the book more closely the reality of a work this size hit home: they missed quite a number of characters (some obscure, others not so obscure) and the formatting left something to be desired. I'm an old-school fan, pre-Crisis in many senses, and some of my favorites were simply not there; any version of The Harlequin (NOT Harley Quinn), a number of the less-used members of the Titans (Teen, New or otherwise), just to mention a few. I recommend this book for the artwork, primarily, and for -most- of the information contained therein. With word of a second printing, I'm hopeful that then next one will have more space.

A fun way to view DC's history, January 30, 2006
Using the encyclopedia format to look at the myriad characters created over the course of DC Comics history is a clever and fun idea. Illustrated with art from a variety of time periods and treating the characters as if they actually existed, the authors have created a book that is valuable for any fan of comics. Little known characters, events that might have been missed, and some fairly obscure references combine with the well-known mainstays of the DC Universe (Superman, Batman, et.al.) to make for a fairly comprehensive history. Sure, there are a number of errors in listing heroes and villains, illustrations not showing the character being discussed, and even details about the characters that will not satisfy the fan looking for perfection, but for the fan who just wants a concise way of looking at the characters of a company that has been around since the 1930's, this is an enjoyable read.

A totally enjoyable experience for the DC comics fan!, December 26, 2005
As other reviewers have pointed out, this is a re-imagining of the old "Who's Who" concept that DC ran in the '80s. That said, this is probably as brilliant and well-executed a collection as you're ever going to find.

There are errors, and there are a few omissions, but overall the effect is astounding. The major characters are given their just due, while even folks who appeared in one-off series long ago get a mention. The biographies are solid and make for compelling reading, and just seeing how rich the history of DC is is enough to give any fan an appreciative pause.

In short, this is simply an incredible book. Highest recommendations, and one that you'll treasure for a long time to come.

It is great, but wheres Constantine?!?, December 4, 2005
You have Swamp Thing, you have the Sandman, you have Death, you even mention John as one of the great team ups (with the Swamp Thing) but Constantine doesnt have an entry of his own? Come on!

In reality the DC Comics Encyclopedia is a great resource, I recently recieved it as a gift and I love it. The only reason it does not get 5 stars is that it has a few strange omissions and here and there the information seems lacking. Overall its a great effort and a worth addition to your library, be it as a reference guide to the DCU or simply as a coffee table book with a fantastic Alex Ross cover.

Recommended. :)

The DC COmics Encyclopedia, October 5, 2007
It's hard to determine the worth of a book, but don't judge this book by its cover. Why? Well for starters it is a great A to Z resource of DC characters packed in one book. There is not much else around so this book is fine. It does clearly address that the information may be outdated due to current depictions of these characters according to DC Comics. So the book is current up to 2004, but now outdated.

However in doing such a project there are errors that occur. The decision not to include characters altered or who never existed because of the Crisis on Infinite Earths was not the best of intentions, as it causes further confusion by ignoring the past, in particular if decisions by DC Comics are updated.

The layout of major characters in a 2 page spread, secondary characters in one page spread, and third place characters in half page spread, and minor characters in smaller captions were clear enough to read and refer to. However it would have been clearer and better if each caption for some characters who shared the same name were separate instead of labeled as I, II or III in the same caption. Some were, which was easy to read and clear, and yet some were in the same boxed caption which was hard to read. That part was annoying.

Now the decision to list a characters first appearance, despite revamps of origins or history were frustrating. Some had their actual first appearance correct, but others did not, and were listed by their revised appearance. Here is a list of the characters who appeared earlier than listed in this book: Angle Man; Circe; Dr. Psycho; Fire (Green Fury); General Zod; Giganta; Global Guardians; Hippolyta; Huntress; Jack O'Lantern; Leviathan (Colossal Boy); M�nel; Peacemaker; Seraph; Spark; Starboy; Steel II; Steppenwolf; Timber Wolf; Villiany Inc.; Von Gunther, Paula; Zoom. Now if all characters were treated the same, that is the first appearance from their new history, then that would be fine, but this is not the case. For example Steve Trevor, despite the new history is listed as All-Star Comics #8, but Hipployta was listed as Wonder Woman #1 when in fact she too was in the same year and comic as Steve Trevor.

Now some characters were altered because of the Crisis or never existed, so revisions such as Prometheus III were mentioned, but I and II were absent, this is fine as it gives a reader knowledge there were other versions before hand. The rank in number implies there were previous versions. As a result there are notable errors such as Cheetah II (Deborah Domaine) who was omitted, so Cheetah II in this book should be III, III should be IV to avoid confusion. Silver Swan I (Helen) was erased, but in this book I should be II and II should be III. Otherwise who is Mirror Master II? Only Mirror Master I and III are mentioned in this book.

Characters such as Lump were not even titled properly, so you had to read the listing to work out who has been given a 'blank' entry.

Where is Etta Candy, Batwoman and Bat-Girl, Hawkgirl I, Queen Bee Zazzala, Red Tornado I (Ma Hunkel), Star Sapphire (the Secret Society version), Time Trapper, White Magician? Surely these characters are just as important, if not more so than some other minor characters listed.

Also the idea of not mentioning the Crisis is fine, if that were the case, but why show a back flash of Gaucho (page 123) with a pre-crisis Wonder Woman when they never met in current continuity? Pictures of the silver age JLA stating Black Canary was a founding member when it is clearly Wonder Woman in the pictures is just plain confusing.

In any case, due to the events of the Infinite Crisis of 2006, some of these entries are now void, as some silver age history has been restored. So in the end it was best not to avoid the "actual" historical listings of characters. By listing properly their actual first appearances, despite current changes would avoid any confusion. This way, even with revisions in current comic books, the encyclopedia would then be accurate enough.

In summary it would be great if they did an updated edition with a brand new cover and just stick to the historical basics and not base the Crisis as a starting point. List actual appearances as they were made, otherwise a reader who picks up a copy of say Wonder Woman Archives would note that Giganta appeared first in 1943 and not in 1998. If there are revisions in the entries themselves then that is fine as long as the historical appearances are accurate. Why then is Seraph listed as first appearing in 1982 when he appeared the same year as Ice-Maiden in 1977 who was credited correctly? It seems the author of this book was biased for some reason.

Again it is not a bad book, but only because there is no other encyclopedia with DC Characters such as this. Not bad, a little inaccurate, but not too bad.

This is a pretty deep source on DC Comics, February 22, 2005
As soon as I've laid my eyes on this encyclopedia, knowing more about it on the Internet, I decided to buy one copy for me. After all, you don't find such a book easily, not even at the best comic shops. This book doesn't intend to be a definitive guide, but a compreensive guide on DC Comics characters. Well, they surely did a very nice job. The illustrations are great and the information on each character is reasonable. Of course a few characters are missing, so what? This shouldn't be a problem. At least it's not a problem for me. Would you care for a piece of advice? Don't miss it. The DC Comics Encyclopedia will turn out to be a marvellous coffe-table book for the entire family.

Excellent overview of DC Comics history, June 24, 2006
I do not have this book, but it is ironically in the reference section of my local library.

The sections on the heroes and villains are good and explanatory. Along with good text descriptions, various pictures abound in this book. The book covers both major and minor characters in the DC universe.

Admittedly, the book is before Identity Crisis and other major DC comic events, but covers 1930's Golden Age up to early 2000's Zero Hour.

A great book for those with the intense desire or money. ... Read more

Reviews

Best Source of Real LSAT Questions, November 10, 2008
As a professional LSAT tutor/blogger, I find that many LSAT books out there choose to make up their own questions rather than pay the licensing fee to the Law School Admissions Council to use real questions. However, this practice leaves students woefully unprepared. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to study from REAL LSAT questions, which are exactly what this book provides. I recommend this book to all of my students.

Good sample of LSAT questions, July 7, 2008
There are definitely better books for understanding how to take the LSAT, but this book is a great follow-up because it lets you get a feel for a lot of different types of questions, as well as timed practice for the real test. I would definitely suggest using this along with a different stuty guide to prep for the LSAT.

Perfect, June 2, 2008
Seriously, if you are purchasing any book that isn't the official LSAT prep test series you are selling yourself short. They do not approximate the type of questions that you are going to see on a real LSAT.

These books, on the other hand, are perfect for prepping for the LSAT. There is nothing like the real thing.

Great Value Study Tool, January 21, 2009
This is definitely a must if you plan on studying and doing well on the LSAT. It gives a good array of questions that were on previous LSATs and it's the most current that you can get in a set of 10. Otherwise you can purchase most recent tests for $8 each.

It has Oct 1999 thru Oct 2002. I highly suggest working through them timed and use those bubble in answer sheets as you go!

You Absolutely Need This Book!, November 27, 2008
This book will help you with the two things you need to master the LSAT: 1) Time Management. and 2) Be Ready For Anything.

After taking these ten practice tests, you will have a good idea on whether or not you can finish all of the sections in the allotted time (you must take them as you would a normal test to be able to figure this out). You will also have seen 40 logic games, and just about every type of question you can see in the other sections. This is more valuable than you will ever realize, and you will thank this book after you do well on the test. There is nothing worse than getting surprised by a logic game in the testing room, and losing out on five questions by default.

I would highly recommend that you make the time to take as many practice tests as you can, and this book gives you ten great ones.

Good Luck!

Perfect just for one thing..., July 15, 2009
I agree with all the other reviews... It makes sense to have actual LSAT tests to study from, but the only thing that I can say the would stop me from giving it a perfect rating is the fact that they just give you the answer key without giving you an explanation on how they derived the answer. Most times you should be able to see what you did wrong but knowing why you got something wrong would be much easier if they provided written explanations for their answers...

MANDATORY for anyone not taking an actual prep course., September 7, 2009
Well if you are not taking an actual LSAT prep course, then how are you going to get access to actual LSAT practice tests? By the way you can walk into your friendly neighborhood bookstore and grab a copy of any number of different prep books, such as Princeton Review, Kaplan, McGraw Hill, etc. The problem is that the practice tests in those books ARE NOT ACTUAL LSAT TESTS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEARS, which are the ONLY ones you should be practicing with. What is the point of taking a practice test that is not written by the test makers? Sure it will get you better at taking that particular type of test, but it is NOT WHAT YOU WILL BE TESTED OVER ON THE ACTUAL LSAT. So with that being said, please understand that this book contains 10 actual LSAT tests that were administered between the years of 1999-2002. The only difference between these tests and the one you will be taking is that the one you will be taking will include a comparative reading passage. This has been added to the test in 2007. However, you can download the June 2007 test from the LSAC website for free. You can also download the June 1996 test for free (just go to google and type in "LSAC practice test"). I recommend you take the free 1996 test to see the difference between taking the test ACTUALLY written by the test makers and the ones available in the retail stores.

Its what it should be, but that doesn't make it helpful, July 5, 2009
The book is what it advertises to be, but its still not helpful enough. The LSAT has changed a lot since these tests, and I didn't find practicing with them to be as useful as I would have hoped. You're better off getting more recent tests.

Tests are old and bit outdated, the questions have changed quite a bit since this book, February 23, 2010
Good for practice, I suppose. It helped me before I took the LSAT in Feb but there are plenty of other free resources you can find out there. Just use google.

The tests in this book are old, the LSAT has changed a lot in the last 5 years. This book doesn't give you any explanations for the answers, so in that way it can be frustrating. Just taking the test over and over is good for you to learn how to get your time down but when you are getting the same 4-5 problems wrong every section you want to know why and what you can do better. Look elsewhere for your study materials.

LSAT PrepTest review, December 2, 2008
This collection of LSATs is the best practice for timing oneself and gauging how one will perform on test day. Every LSAT taker should get through at least one collection of previously administered exams. ... Read more

Editorial Review

For more than half a century Sports Illustrated has put its best face forward every week with one iconic image-the cover. The work of some of the world's greatest photographers and illustrators, there are now nearly 3,000 examples of this magazine art, all curated here in book form for the first time.

The greatest moments in sports history are celebrated, as they happened: Ali's defeat of Liston, the Miracle on Ice, Dwight Clark's Catch, Doug Flutie's Hail Mary, Mark Spitz's golds and then Michael Phelps's. Virtually every important athlete in the world-from Roger Bannister in 1955, to Roger Maris in '61, to Roger Staubach in '78 and Roger Federer in 2009-has appeared there, and those are just the Rogers. It's the one arena in which Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali and Jack Nicklaus have all competed together, for the distinction of having the most SI covers. These images are now unique cultural artifacts, and taken together they add up to a delightful and entertaining chronicle of the sporting scene like no other. ... Read more

Reviews

Worth adding to your collection!, November 1, 2010
Every cover from the beginning is shown. A great look inside the birth of an American icon. The book will take you from the early editorial decisions, to amazing cross references of most cover appearances, which sports appear the covers, etc. If you want to relive the amazing athletes and events from 1954 to the present---buy this book!

Great for a Gift, November 3, 2010
This is a nice tableside book. Makes a great gift for anyone into sports. Some interesting reading but is mostly just mag covers...no suprise given the title of the book!

Pretty disappointing, December 7, 2010
I was disappointed with this book. I was expecting page after page of glorious covers that I could look over and examine... well, if I had a powerful microscope I could. They are tiny with every one hundredth one or so big enough to really enjoy the photography. Downer. :( ... Read more

Editorial Review

“Italians say that someone who acquires a new language ‘possesses’ it. In my case, Italian possesses me. With Italian racing like blood through my veins, I do indeed see with different eyes, hear with different ears, and drink in the world with all my senses…”

A celebration of the language and culture of Italy, La Bella Lingua is the story of how a language shaped a nation, told against the backdrop of one woman’s personal quest to speak fluent Italian.

For anyone who has been to Italy, the fantasy of living the Italian life is powerfully seductive. But to truly become Italian, one must learn the language. This is how Dianne Hales began her journey. In La Bella Lingua, she brings the story of her decades-long experience with the “the world’s most loved and lovable language” together with explorations of Italy’s history, literature, art, music, movies, lifestyle, and food in a true opera amorosa—a labor of her love of Italy.

Throughout her first excursion in Italy—with “non parlo Italiano” as her only Italian phrase—Dianne delighted in the beauty of what she saw but craved comprehension of what she heard. And so she chose to inhabit the language. Over more than twenty-five years she has studied Italian in every way possible: through Berlitz, books, CDs, podcasts, private tutorials and conversation groups, and, most importantly, large blocks of time in Italy. In the process she found that Italian became not just a passion and a pleasure, but a passport into Italy’s storia and its very soul. She offers charming insights into what makes Italian the most emotionally expressive of languages, from how the “pronto” (“Ready!”) Italians say when they answer the telephone conveys a sense of something coming alive, to how even ordinary things such as a towel (asciugamano) or handkerchief (fazzoletto) sound better in Italian.

She invites readers to join her as she traces the evolution of Italian in the zesty graffiti on the walls of Pompeii, in Dante’s incandescent cantos, and in Boccaccio’s bawdy Decameron. She portrays how social graces remain woven into the fabric of Italian: even the chipper “ciao,” which does double duty as “hi” and “bye,” reflects centuries of bella figura. And she exalts the glories of Italy’s food and its rich and often uproarious gastronomic language: Italians deftly describe someone uptight as a baccala (dried cod), a busybody who noses into everything as a prezzemolo (parsley), a worthless or banal movie as a polpettone (large meatball).

Like Dianne, readers of La Bella Lingua will find themselves innamorata, enchanted, by Italian, fascinated by its saga, tantalized by its adventures, addicted to its sound, and ever eager to spend more time in its company. ... Read more

Reviews

A must read for Italian language lovers, May 12, 2009
For anyone who has been enchanted by the always beautiful, often frustrating Italian language and tried to grasp its basics as well as its intricacies, Dianne's tales will not only ring true but also comfort you.

From obscure word etymologies to entertaining anecdotes, La Bella Lingua will keep you turning pages, nodding along in agreement, laughing, and even learning--I picked up quite a few new words myself even though I've been living in Italy for six years now.

And Dianne's writing? A sheer pleasure. Truly.

La Bella Lingua is a *must* for any lover of the Italian language and assolutamente warrants five espresso cups out of five.

~ Michelle Fabio
bleedingespresso.com

An Italian Vacation in a book, June 29, 2009
When I saw this book, I wanted to read it right away. I did so and as a result, I have fallen even more in love with the italian language.
When I was a student in Firenze years ago, before I knew much of the language, I used to read billboards and ads and think that the italian words were the most beautiful that I had ever seen without knowing what they meant.
This book covers all aspects of the language from historic to artistic to poetic to the not so poetic! I learned so much in every chapter that I hated to see it end. This book will take you on a memorable voyage over the landscape of what is truly the world's most beautiful language.

"great little stories about fascinating people and places", June 10, 2009
Don't dismiss La Bella Lingua by thinking it's only for people who are interested in learning Italian. I don't speak Italian and frankly have no interest in learning it but what has been pure pleasure for me is reading about the origins of the language and history of Italian. This book is for readers who consume great little stories about fascinating people and places. It's about the joy of life that Italians have shared with all cultures over the centuries but it's never been written about like this before. Dianne Hales is my BFF so I've had a ton of rollicking fun along the way watching Dianne as she follows her passion. In Mill Valley we enjoy wine, food and laughter but in Italy with her husband, Bob, they roll up the rugs and share the dance floor at 3am. After each trip to Italy she shares the adventures of her "other life" with me. With La Bella Lingua, she shares these adventures with the readers. The book reminds me of the way history used to be passed from generation to generation - story telling and history lesson all in one delicious book that you won't want to put down. This is my 2009 gift book.

Grazie, Sra Hales!, June 21, 2009
As a languishing adult student of Italian, I am grateful for Sra Hales' book and envious of her linguistic and cultural accomplishments. Her enjoyment of all things Italian both in Italy and her native San Francisco area are generously shared with the reader.
There are two improvements I would like to see in the next edition: More translations - a fair number of words weren't translated and, if possible, a glossary.
I would also love a well-spoken unabridged audio version.
PS. I've added Mastroianni's I Remember DVD to my Netflix list.

Bravissima!, September 1, 2009
I loved every minute of reading and thinking about this book.I bought an additional copy to lend to friends, because I want to keep my autographed copy. But a caveat: Dianne and I were both members of a fiction writing workshop. Dianne was a wonderful reader and great critic, working to make everyone's writing better. And despite her protestations, she wrote an elegant novel that was inbued with all things Italian and created living, breathing characters. I never told her, but I was always jealous of her felicity with the language. I was thrilled when I learned that she wrote La Bella Lingua.

It has exceeded all my expectations. As a lover of romantic languages and the opera, I would have been happy had the book only been about Dianne's adventures with the language. But it is far more than that. It is a wonderful tapestry woven from well researched history or the Italian peninsula and personal anecdotes, with a charming narrative voice, as though you were having a glass of wine with a good friend who was telling you stories. Dianne creates real, recognizable people, even if they died four hundred years ago. I found myself laughing out loud many times.

Dianne manages a mountain of research and wisely divides the book into areas like the history of Europe; art; music; architecture; cuisine; film. and my personal favorite, what we would call swear words. There is so much material, but she deals with it with humor, while always focusing on the human aspect.
I learned an amazing amount. Who knew that there was an important female Renaissance poet, for example? I can no longer impress my friends by explaining with Viva Verdi meant during and immediately after his lifetime, now that Dianne has explained it.

I loved the tone of the book and the fact that Dianne gently pokes fun of her own linguistic gaffes. I'll Always remember Signor Domani Mattina from Milano. Everyone who has ever dared speak a language other than his native one has made similar mistakes. This stops a lot of people from ever trying. As Dianne illustrates, just keep going; laugh at your own
mistakes, and think of them as material for future stories.

I've studied both French and Italian for years, but have developed nowhere near the mastery which Dianne has with Italian .I even studfied at some of the same schools, but it just didn't take with me. I think this fascinating and eminently readable book should be taught in Italian courses, as well as courses in Western Civilization, and art. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys good storytelling and learning about another cradle of civilization.

great for the curious, May 29, 2010
If your curious about language and meaning, like to find out the history and background of how words are used this is an interesting book. If you love Italian yourself -- you'll love these insights.

PC

What your book has given me!!, November 20, 2009
Thank you for writing such an amazing book. Being of Italian heritage it was fantastic to learn a little more about how our language has developed over time. The best part about your book was how it provided for the opportunity to sit back and have a great meal with my dad (80 years old) and uncles and talk about the history of the country and the creation of a wonderful language. My father was born just outside of Rome in San Vittore del Lazio and actually lived in Rome for many years prior to emigrating.

I also am looking forward to having my daughter Veronica (17 years old) read the book over the holidays this year (way too busy with grade 12 studies to read it now!).

Thank you for your dedication to the language and culture and sharing with us the history.

I gave 2 copies away and had mine signed, October 20, 2009
As a long time Italophile I was delighted with this book. The many factoids about Italian history and culture, made this book one which I hated to see end. Although I speak fairly good Italian, the new vocabulary Dianne added was really fun to learn. For anyone interested in Italy, its people and culture, this is a terrific book. When I attended Dianne's lecture at the Sacramento Italian Cultural Center, I was so impressed with her enthusiasm and passion that I am re-reading the book once again. It's even better the second time around!

A surprising charmer, August 23, 2009
I picked up La Bella Lingua in preparation for my first visit to Italy, but even those not planning to go to Italy will enjoy it. La Bella Lingua does for the history of the Italian language what Eats Shoots & Leaves does for English punctuation: Takes a seemingly dry linguistic topic and turns it into a page-turner. Talented writer Dianne Hales could make any subject entertaining!

Only wish I had written it!, July 16, 2009
When I picked it up at Barnes & Noble to thumb through it didn't take much convincing... as I read it I can see myself standing in the Piazza della Repubblica and hear the bustle around the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo and the leather stores around Santa Croce. On my last trip there I was fortunate to find Ognissanti open (in all my other trips my timing was off) and fell in love with the sweet little Franciscan church (and was mortified to be asked to leave because I was wearing a skirt that was a little too short, even with tights on!). I am fortunate to have dear friends in Siena, Poggibonsi and San Gimignano -- such delightful people and spectacular sights to behold.

Thank for the delicious book you have given us to devour! And if you ever want a travel partner, I'm available! A presto ... Read more

Editorial Review

Reviews

Lincoln said:, February 5, 2004
Abraham Lincoln showed a talent for sensing the future in the course of economic policy way back in 1863. Lincoln said then: "The money power preys upon the nation in times of peace and conspires against it in times of adversity. It is more despotic than monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, more selfish than bureaucracy."

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. Corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until the wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed," Lincoln said.

Great Stories, June 1, 2006
Humes book has a lot to offer Lincoln fans: a great many stories and anecdotes that shed a light on the many-facted, unique, and charming personality of our sixteenth president. I sometimes feel that these little story books do a better job of capturing someone's spirit than some of the big, thick biographies. And, at this price (same as a paperback), you can't go wrong.

Richard Salva--author of Soul Journey from Lincoln to Lindbergh [UNABRIDGED]

Wonderful, November 20, 2003
Lincoln is one of our most loved Presidents and with good reason. He is almost always recognised for his morality and honesty. Too often his intellect is overlooked. Reading this work will definitly provide the reader with a good idea of just how bright he was.

I read this work straight through but it would also be a great "subway read". Each of the stories are short too the point and usually very funny.

A Nice Little Collection, November 24, 2007
Fans of Lincoln are likely to delight in this mixed bag of gems from the life of Honest Abe. The book moves from topical quotes, to more focused collections of anecdotes from Lincoln's life, to a collection of his best known speeches. In comparison to his quotes, the famous speeches may seem somewhat dry. After all, many Americans have read some of the speeches several times since grade school.

The book helps to put the Lincoln character in perspective. As a man, he started some place and the stories of his life did not always exist. These things actually happened. Few people realize what a witty man Abraham Lincoln was. This book is a testament to that fact.

Lincoln, November 25, 2008
Only knowing what little they teach you in grade school about this man, i bought this book to learn a little more. This is a good book to do this. I found after reading this that i really like this great man. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to get a quick glimpse of Mr. Lincoln.
I hope this review is helpful to some.

'Pocket Lincoln', June 27, 2008
As a US History teacher, this small and inexpensive book brings personality and life to one of our most beloved Presidents. An excellent value and one that is more likely to be read and enjoyed than larger, more in depth works. Middle School kids get a kick out of the quotes.

Nice Work & Collection of Quotes, April 8, 2008
The book is divided nicely into categories and is a good book that doesn't need long periods of time for reading. You will enjoy many of the stories and quotations from Mr. Lincoln. A nice compilation.

Great Book!, January 13, 2008
This was a Xmas gift to a Abe Lincoln fan. She was absolutely thrilled. Highly Recommend. ... Read more

Editorial Review

From the most searched-for person on the Internet to the youngest billionaire, from the shortest film title to the longest nose—if a world record has been created or surpassed, it’s here!
 
Guinness World Records™ 2010 gathers the most remarkable, inspirational, and wacky record breakers yet from every corner of the globe—and even beyond the solar system. Filled with don’t-try-this-at-home human achievements, natural and technological wonders, incredible feats in sports and entertainment, and much more, this updated edition introduces exciting new records and unbelievable facts that will captivate the imagination. Did you know . . .
 
• To celebrate the launch of its new route from Dubai, UAE, to Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Emirates airline aired a TV commercial that was 14 hours and 40 minutes long—the same length as the journey itself?
• The deadliest mountain of them all is Annapurna I, where 41 percent of climbers die striving for the peak?
• The Detroit Lions hold the record for most losses in an NFL season, ending the 2008 season with a 0–16 record?
 
And that’s just a hint of what you’ll find inside this amazing book, including striking all-new photos and new sections on seemingly unbreakable records, unusual rituals from around the globe and other wild events celebrating the first decade of the twenty-first century—plus information on how you too can join the Guinness World Records family, and offers on free downloadable content, from videos to wallpapers. ... Read more

Reviews

Guinness 2010 review, July 16, 2010
This paperback version didn't contain the pictures that were in the hardback edition. Also the type was very small and difficult to read.

A Gotta Have Book, November 29, 2010
What can you say. It's the Guinness Book of records! The first book I ever checked out of the library as a nine year old in 1973. I've always preferred the paperback over the hardcover edition. They're quite different. But that's just me. Both are great.

Small but great!, October 5, 2010
The pages were a little less than 640 pages,it was really 594 pages but that's still a lot.The book was also smaller than I imagined(I guess I should have looked at the dimensions description earlier) and its got pictures in it but its all black and white.Still its a very interesting book nonetheless! ... Read more