5 comments about The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea.

1. In a world that's been over-saturated with parables on business and life success, The Go-Giver is a standout. It is also a powerfully important message in a world where too many people are listening to radio station WIIFM.



2. Regardless of what you are doing to earn money or if you are retired there is something to learn in this book. It is very entertaining, with some good humor. The principles taught in this book will move you forward in business and your personal life. I enjoyed reading this book, and would highly recommend it to everyone.



3. I read a lot of inspirational and motivational books, and I confess that I usually feel good about them for a short while and then gradually forget the details. HOWEVER, with "The Go-Giver", I find myself remembering the principles and putting them into action. And, I don't mean once in a while, but every day since I read the book. It feels as natural as breathing.
   
   The funny thing is the same day I finished reading the book my career started to take off in ways that I never planned nor imagined. I received national recognition in my company (for helping a different department) and I received some lucrative sales referrals from prospects whose business I lost (because even though they turned me down, I still helped them with their charitable work).
   
   Coincidence? I don't know. All I know is I'm ordering extra copies of this book and I'm going to share them with my sales team (and with my kids).



4. Becci Hall (beccihall@mchsi.com), An Entrepreneur, August 18, 2008,
   Outstanding & Inspirational
   Quick read size with a big book message! We can all recite a version of the 'Laws of Stratospheric Success,' but these characters show us how to achieve this type of success ... with honor, ethics and ... giving. These lessons are so natural, everyone should be a Go-Giver! This is a book that will have a place in everyone's heart for years to come.



5. I am turning 60 next month and quite excited to be doing so. I wanted to read something new to give me a new perspective. Go Giver is well written and inciteful. I purchased 4 copies and have sharred with my friends. Buy this and you will for sure read more than once.

3 comments about Living from Your Center: Guided Meditations for Creating Balance & Inner Strength (Inner Vision Series).

1. I was disapointed with this cd. The title,to me,promised some tangible way to connect better with your center. I thought the meditations were "trite" and not too effective. I learned one good breathing exercise on the cd or I would have rated it a one star.



2. Very helpful, Iyanla is a calm and soothing guide. The meditations, though simple, are very very effective. I am now greatly interested in hearing more from, and expect to be just as pleased with, future purchases of this author.



3. If you already have spiritual practice, this CD will likely offer nothing new. If you don't have a spiritual practice this CD probably won't inspire one. I had high hopes for this CD and have been working with the two energy centers she refers to for some time. This CD offered nothing new to my experience. The author's voice was potentially very soothing and powerful, but unfortunately the meditations were of little to no substance. Shes uses all the banal buzz words of new age jargon (over and over again) almost to the point of cliche.

3 comments about Chicken Soup Stories for a Better World (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

1. This book contains heartwarming, touching stories about people who had the courage to face their problems, engage in positive behavior, commit acts of kindness, and teach us the lessons of a lifetime. These are relevant stories about overcoming adversity and finding a better way of living. This is a highly inspirational and engaging book that encourages the reader to trust their innate abilities, intuitive wisdom, live a life of integrity, honesty, and dedication to family and community. It helps readers overcome self-limiting fears and achieve their potential. Some of the stories might bring readers to tears and others illustrate passion and courage.



2. As with all the Chicken Soup books, you'll feel satisfied and content when you've finished this serving. Personally, I found this "Better World" edition to be one of the best. The stories are uplifting, inspiring and moving but without that "too sweet" feeling that I've occasionally experienced in other CS books. In these times when we're all hoping for a better and more peaceful world, this book is a welcome offering. Enjoy its many soul-satisfying courses.



3. Accounts of other people's stories of their real life events in this world makes me see my problems in a different light and sometimes helps me work them out. That is why I think this book gives a valuable insight. I think it is a must for all who enjoy the Chicken Soup stories and want another view.

4 comments about Amazing Grace for the Catholic Heart: 101 Stories of Faith, Hope, Inspiration & Humor (Amazing Grace, 2) (Amazing Grace, 2).

1. I like to say it's like Lay's potato chips: You can't stop at just one of the stories in this book. Each story is the perfect length for a quick reading in the course of a busy life. Yet each is inspirational and you find yourself trying to sneak in just one more story before you have to get back to your duties.

   I have and will continue to give this book as gifts. It is the perfect end-of-year gift for Catholic school teachers or CCD/RE teachers. Frankly, giving it out to your family and friends is a great idea too. Easy to read, yet never "fluffy" or watered-down, it is another amazing contribution by Jeff Cavins and Matt Pinto. Thanks guys!




2. Some books warm the heart,inspiring it to hope again. The poignant storylines remind me of Katherine Valentine's Dorsetville series. This is one of those books. I highly recommend it to anyone going through tough times. It's bound to renew your faith.



3. All of the stories may not hit home with you but so many will. As the title states - stories of faith, hope, inspiration and humor. A book you want to pass on to others to read.



4. This is a wonderful collection of stories. It always sounds funny to say that a book made you laugh and cry, but this one really will! Isn't God amazing?!? These stories will certainly make you think about how God has intervened in your own life.

5 comments about Time Alive: Celebrate Your Life Every Day.

1. As always, Alexandra never fails to inspire me to be more creative, to open my eyes, to live life and enjoy even the smallest things. She does not advocate a lavish lifestyle. On the contrary, her books have more to do with enjoying the little things in life that do not cost much.
   I have all her books and this one has new ideas for me to underline, just as her other books are well read and underlined on my shelf. She is one of my favorite authors....



2. This charming book is full of inspiring ideas on how to make the most out of life by creating standards and honoring the sacredness of time. As with all of Alexandra Stoddard's books, this is for the optimistic person who delights in the romance and wonder of everyday life.



3. Okay, Ms. Stoddard is who she is and probably means well in writing about her idea of living well. I have read her other books, and I think "Living a Beautiful Life" is the best of the lot. I agree with the other reviewers that she seems pretentious, but perhaps she is targeting those who actually have the time and money to follow her suggestions and play in her league. At the same time, so many people are aspirational and want to read about the lifestyle they dream of having--even if odds are that they never will.
   
   I found "Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy" by Sara Ban Breathnach more inspiring and realistic. I bought it in 1995 and still have a look at it now and then. So, if you're trying to carve out a little extra grace, pleasure, and serenity for yourself, that's the book I would recommend.



4. I own nearly all of Ms. Stoddard's books and have been reading her reviews for this and other titles she has written. Clearly, it is true that she is consistent with her message, which is repackaged in different ways, with different themes and emphases: time, beauty, home, happiness, love, etc. Yet one does not buy a new Alexandra Stoddard book and expect a new Alexandra -- rather, one expects to resume a conversation with a friend who is known and trusted. Like a good friend, Alexandra repeats her ideas now and again, she shares with us what she considers important, and encourages us to move on in our own lives with grace, positivity, and joy.
   
   I am a professor of American literature and understand that Alexandra includes quotes from great American writers including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edith Wharton, and Henry David Thoreau. She also includes her favorite messages from world authors, philosophers, historians, politicians, artists, and designers. Indeed, in this sense, Ms. Stoddard does not have a new message: she shares her take on the messages she has gleaned from a lifetime of reading and experience. One could say that it would be best to just read Emerson or Thoreau -- but how many do? Is Ms. Stoddard not a messenger encouraging our own reading of these classics along with her message of how they have been important to her? As a professor of American lit, I am thrilled that someone is quoting Emerson and Thoreau in hopes that Ms. Stoddard will lead her own readers to search out these classic American texts. The 19th century British writer Thomas Carlyle wrote in "Sartor Resartus" that there are no new texts, but rather old ideas tailored in new and different ways. And so it is with Alexandra Stoddard. Before dismissing her, perhaps we might consider the possibility that she brings classic ideas to a broad audience -- that she has re-tailored the ideas of Emerson, Thoreau, and others for our times and for the general population.
   
   I understand and can empathize with those who do not relate with her lifestyle -- indeed, she is blessed with a good life -- one that it appears she has worked for. I am happy for her and ask this: why should an individual's hard work, good fortune, and general abundance indicate that we, as a more general population, cannot relate to her? If she can afford more than we can does that mean her ideas do not apply to us, that she is removed from life as we know it? Oprah Winfrey, for example, is a fabulously wealthy woman -- one of the richest Americans alive -- and no one questions her ability to relate to common people. Granted, she was challenged as a child to overcome a difficult set of life circumstances, yet we do not know what Alexandra has overcome in her life -- can't she also express her ideas about a life well-lived without us judging her ideas in terms of her socioeconomic status? Let's move beyond this to her ideas, I say. Look at what she has to say at its core -- many of these ideas are universal.
   
   I am grateful that Ms. Stoddard keeps writing. I read her as a respite from other reading. I read her as I would read a letter from a friend. I do not judge her as she does not seem to judge others herself. I take her messages at face value and accept her suggestions for living as her own way of spreading a spirit of good faith.
   
   As I mentioned, I teach literature: my classes read works by Kurt Vonnegut, John Updike, Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, Kate Chopin, Theodore Dreiser, and others. Ms. Stoddard presents a particular slice of life -- it seems as valid as any to me. She does not claim to be the great American author or philosopher, but someone who can encourage us to look at our lives more carefully and help us to live more fully and mindfully. Although I understand the misgivings of some, I am grateful that she has chosen to write. Her work has contributed to my life, and I look forward to her hearing her voice again in her next volume.



5. Knowing and becoming takes time. Alexandra writes in this book, "Patiently continue to grow, trusting your intuition that is your real guiding light. This innner knowing is instinctive. The truth will continuously be revealed to you without reason or outer knowledge. You possess this innate capacity of perception. Let this subtle, spontaneous awareness teach you who you essentially are." What are your priorities and goals? What do you hope to achieve in your life, and what are the things that are blocking you from becoming. I think this book is helpful in beginning that kind of a conversation with yourself.

2 comments about Dreams, "Evolution" and Value Fulfillment, Vol. 2: A Seth Book.

1. Where do we come from and why are we here. This book deals with the origin of mankind and the creation of this world in dreams. I'd not recommend it if you do not know other Seth books, and also not if you are looking of ways of how to improve your life situation (get Nature of Personal Reality in that case). However, it's excellent if you enjoyed Seth Speaks and Unknown Reality.



2. Seth Dreams and Projections Of Consciousness
   
   The scientific approach to dream interpretation leaves something to be desired at least in my view. However, Seth presents an indepth picture of the origin of life - from the inner dream world and beyond. His explanation of the physical world...where virtually every possibility exists and is constantly encouraged to achieve highest potential.
   
   Consider the ways in which our religions have stifled the human spirit. Surprising insight into life's meaning and purpose.
   
   "Dreams are mental work and play combined, psychic and emotionally rich creative dramas. They also involve you in the most productive of enterprises as you begin to play with versions of events that are being considered for physical actualization..."

2 comments about Simple Abundance: Living by Your Own Lights.

1. In our stressful lives, Sarah Breathnach's calm voice outlines a path to sanity. She advocates nurturing our spirits, our relationships and creating serene spaces in our lives.
   I want to play this over and over, so it soaks into my consciousness. I want to share this message with all the frazzled women I know. She blends literature and a variety of religions without being preachy. Quotes from Star Wars, Bhudda, Irish proverbs and Shaker writings are sprinkled throughout serving to launch her essays.
   Over all, it is about tuning into ourselves and paying attention to our basic needs (no, not material possessions, though she does not advocate a spartan lifestyle).
   For women who feel there is no time to tend to their inner needs and who find the daily demands at times overwhelming, I wholeheartedly recommend this.



2. I found this book quite by accident at a Barnes and Noble one day. After reading it I went back and bought one for all my close friends and sisters. Sarah Breathnach has defined in this book what is really important in life and helps you get in touch with these things. It's too bad we don't figure most of this out until later in life. Easy reading and a "feel good" book for someone who wants to enjoy life to the fullest.

5 comments about Ready, Fire, Aim: Zero to $100 Million in No Time Flat (Your Coach in a Box).

1. The main point I get from Masterson's book is marking your product. I know it simple but how many small business owners do all the other THINGS but market their products. Masterson beats the marking concept home! If you market and sale your products you will be successful. A must read before you start your business----If you have started; read the book fast. This book is about working smarter and making money and not losing your butt and working harder.



2. I enjoy the occasional book on marketing and how to acheive success. The cover blurbs for "Ready, Aim, Fire" seemed promising as did some of the Amazon reviews. So I figured why not.
   
   I can now answer the question "why not" in detail and at length.
   
   First, the good news. Michael Masterson does a reasonably good job of distilling the advice offered in dozens of other books on advertising and marketing, from Napoleon Hill to Rosse Reeve's "Reality In Advertising". However, the solid advice gleaned from those classics is diluted with Masterson's endless preening and outright bragging.
   
   The overall experience is not necessarily enjoyable or instructive, unless you are inspired by someone telling you, over and over and over again, of how successful and great he is.
   
   A careful reading led me to become very suspicious of Michael Masterson and to do some quick research. Masterson claims to have had titles on the New York Times, Wall St. Journal and Amazon best seller lists. Indeed, on two occasions - and that means two distinct dates - Masterson was on the Wall St. Journal best seller list. This is not like being on that list week after week: it was twice for one time each. As for the New York Times, a Nexis search shows Michael Masterson appearing in the Times just once, with a comment in an article. No appearances on their best seller list. Amazon's best seller lists are very different and appearing on them is on meaningless. It is said that having 30 friends order a book at the same time will put you on their best sellers list for a little while at least.
   
   More disturbing are Masterson's associations, one of which is Agora International, which publishes a number of investment newsletters which seem to be of the "we have a tip for you" variety. Agora was sued for fraud by the SEC at one point. This does not reflect directly on Masterson since he claims a nebulous role of "consultant" with them. It does, however, reflect on the company he keeps.
   
   The company he keeps also includes AWAI, American Artists & Writers, Inc. Masterson doesn't say that he authored a product for them, a course on copywriting. Both AWAI and Masterson are the subject of literally hundreds of online complaints.
   
   As I said, much of this book is borrowed and adapted. I don't have a problem with that since solid knowledge is intended to be passed on, as long as it is not plagarized in violation of copyright laws. But even here, Masterson leaves himself open to question. He attributes the concept of the "unique selling proposition" to a 1980 book called "Positioning". In fact, Rosser Reeves first put forth the expression and the concept in his 1961 "Reality In Advertising".
   
   Would I recommend that someone read this book? Sort of. It is an adequate distillation of marketing advice from many reputable sources. To his credit, Masterson doesn't claim to be the original thinking here. On the other hand, Masterson's personal credibility is questionable and you really have to take what he says of his own success with a very large grain of salt. Personally I think there are better books in this area to be found.
   
   Jerry



3. I own multiple companies and have used the Ready Fire Aim method way before this book came out. Now that it has I have validation that my methods are very good. Not only did I get the validation but I also learned many new things. I'll be handing this book to my COO so that he can have a better understanding of my putting new ideas into production before they have been fully polished. It really goes against what he believes in when I do this. But with this book I think he will now understand why this is a really good method.
   
   Marcus
   http://www.markeedragoninc.com



4. This book was chalk full of generic advice for entrepreneurs -- I say "generic" b/c it didn't focus on any one strategy or industry, which I guess was was the author was going for -- but in doing so, in trying to be "all things to all people," he IMHO diluted whatever message he was trying to get across. Like another reviewer I did benefit from the repeated message of the importance of marketing and sell sell sell. This book is certainly worth a quick skim but it wasn't anything ground-breaking IMO.



5. This is the first book that I've read by Michael Masterson and I came away quite impressed. Michael did a "masterful" job in laying the blueprint for the evolution of a small business into a large corporation (if that's your goal)
   
   I am currently a Stage 1 business owner, and I found his advice refreshing. There's a lot of theory being promoted by so-called experts in entrepreneurship. The problem with it is that the overwhelming majority of these "experts" have no experience actually growing a business. They focus on the things that don't really matter like getting a pretty website or company brochure.
   
   Instead, Michael reminds us that in the beginning, making sales is everything. He correctly states that at least 80% of your time should be spent on selling/marketing and only 20% on everything else. Once you're making sales as a Stage 1 business, you have the resources to address your other business needs.
   
   Another great point that he made was when he said, "To be consistently successful, you need to anticipate the market, not follow it." This will enable you to become a market leader instead of a "Me too" competitor.
   
   In addition to that, Michael talks about the importance of testing. Too many entrepreneurs make the mistake of wasting a lot of money and time on an idea that is going nowhere. Had they tested the concept first, they could have come to the conclusion that their idea was a bad one a lot sooner and saved money, and more importantly time.
   
   As a result, I choose the cover of my new book by letting the market decide on two designs. The cover I chose was the runaway winner and it wasn't the one I thought would win. It was a great reminder that YOU are not buying your product, the market is and you should let them tell you what's the winning idea.
   
   I have read and continue to read a lot of business books but this one was one of the most practical, timely, and valuable books that I have read in a long time. I will continue to use this book as a resource for years to come.

5 comments about Mind Maps at Work: How to Be the Best at Your Job and Still Have Time to Play.

1. this book is interesting when you know the mindmap technique. the issues raised and questions given to assess different situations are valuable and practical indeed, whether you are a CEO,a jobhunter or teammember. Mindmapping stays a tool, it doesn't replace the essentail questions.



2. Finally, mister Buzan has written a book which is highly practical. I am a professional mind mapper in the Netherlands. The last few months more and more the idea arose to write a book about how to implement the mind map idea in a business environment. I can forget about the idea, as mister Buzan has done it for me (what a pitty). I think mind mapping is thé way of effective and efficient communicating. The book is packed with examples in all kind of situations. The book gives you also a very good idea about which companies use the technique for it's own good. And I can tell you when companies like Apple, Boeing or Burmah Oil use it to their advantage, why can't you?



3. Well it didn't work for me, and according to published research, it probably does not work for you either. (research shows that it demotivates, confuses, and makes the learner feel like they have regressed).
   
   The book itself comes up to the same high quality hype and new age glitz as previous books on the subject. However, there is a strange mismatch in the text. The writing is about business and being professional, but the maps are as professional looking as a multicoloured sneeze. I cannot see any pro working with these things. Concept maps, timelines, graphs, diagrams etc are a mainstay of good biz communication. And they are colourful. I cannot see why someone would want to exchange those for a scrappy looking mind map.
   
   I know I'm going on, but the book itself is a worse offender. If you are really into mind maps, just get "teach yourself mind maps in a week" (from the library). It has all the same hype in it, but its far more concise.
   
   Cheers
   D.Rayt



4. Like other books by Tony Buzan, "Mind Maps at Work" starts with the description of human brain, its boundless capabilities, and then reiterates Buzan's favourite techniques like Mind Maps, TEFCAS, Radiant Thinking, etc. If you've read other books by Tony Buzan, you may find parts of this book monotonous, uninteresting and not engaging your interest. But if you are looking how to apply Mind Maps to your work environment, or just thinking how to be more efficient at your job, change career or start your own business, deliver excellent presentations with confidence, stand up for yourself and your ideas, be a key player at work, lead your team to excellence, than you will find worthy thoughts throughout this book.
   
   It shows how to use Mind Maps and TEFACS to organize your business plan, access the progress of your plans and identify areas for improvement, create and update your CV in a colorful and visually arresting way, and so on.
   
   Although in some places I've found this book a little bit dull, it is definitely worth attention! This is a book that suggests purposely slowing down and smelling the roses could actually boost productivity in today's 24/7 world. I would also recommend "Slack" by Tom Demarco in addition to this book.



5. Mind Maps at Work: How to Be the Best at Your Job and Still Have Time to Play
   By Tony Buzan
   
   Undoubtedly, Tony Buzan should be credited for starting the ball rolling for mind-mapping in the late seventies/early eighties. He certainly took a brave stance. Whether he originated the idea is still debatable, because I strongly believe that the clustering technique (as originally envisaged by Gabrielle Rico in her debut book, `Writing the Natural Way', in the early eighties) is the precursor to the mind-mapping technique.
   
   I still owned the original releases of two books written by Tony Buzan, in which he introduced mind-mapping during those days:
   
   - Make the Most of Your Mind;
   - Use Both Sides of Your Brain;
   
   Going back into these two books & comparing them with the current book under review, I am very surprised to note that there are not much differences from the the intellectual standpoint. Despite the fact that more than three decades had already transpired, there are no new enhancements for readers, except, may be readers now get to see mind-maps in colour.
   
   Tony Buzan is still pursuing the dogmatic approach of putting every issue from a centralised position & viewing all the connected issues in a radially-outward perspective. Beyond this singular aspect, he doesn't have any new ideas to share with readers.
   
   Sad to say, Tony Buzan is clearly running out of steam. All his new & subsequent books still follow doggedly the same old formula. In fact, most of his new books are often rehashed &/or mildly expanded from the foregoing two books. Some of his disciples who have written similar books even follow the master's footsteps.
   
   I am not saying mind-mapping is obsolete. It still works, but it has severe limitations. In today's chaotic business world, not every issue can be centralised in perspective.
   
   Even in the educational arena, mind-mapping has its fair share of problems in application. Let me share with readers a true case in Singapore, as reported in the Straits Times, a local newspaper, a few years ago. According to the then-principal of Raffles Girls' School, a top-ranked secondary school, the school invested heavily in getting students to learn & apply mind-mapping in their studies. Every teacher & student was very excited. Every student was proud of her colourful mind-maps. However, when the final exams came, all the girls just abandoned mind-mapping & went back to the old habit of note-making. To them, mind-mapping didn't work as expected.
   
   My own analysis is this: you can only apply mind-mapping to some subjects in the academic curriculum, but not all. For example, fish-bone diagramming & time-lines (or transitive-order diagramming, an expanded variation) would be more effective for history lessons. A story grid would serve English Literature more effectively. Concept maps & V-diagramming would be more ideal for navigating science subjects.
   
   Coming back to the current book under review, I wish to say this: mind-mapping alone is not going to help you solve all your problems. The mind-maps just look good on paper in most instances. You need a smorgasbord of visual tools!
   
   Just imagine you only have a screw driver in your tool-box.
   
   For readers who are keen to explore beyond traditional mind-mapping, they should take a look at the following resources:
   
   - 'Thinking Visually: Business Applications of Fourteen Core Diagrams', by Malcolm Craig;
   
   - 'Rapid Problem Solving with Post-It Notes', by David Straker;
   
   - 'The Power of 2 x 2 Matrix: Using 2 x 2 Thinking to Solve Business Problems', by Alex Lowly & Phil Hood;
   
   - 'Visible Thinking: Unlocking Causal Mapping for Practical Business Results' by John Bryson;
   
   - 'Beyond Words', by Milli Sonneman;
   
   - 'The Marketer's Visual Toolkit', by Terry Richey;
   
   In the realm of strategic planning, I reckon 'Reinventing Communication: A Guide to Using Visual Language for Planning' by Larry Raymond would be an excellent resource.
   
   Even Nancy Margulies' mind-scapes as envisaged in her 'Mapping InnerSpace' &/or 'Visual Thinking: Tools for Mapping Ideas' can help you deliberately move away from Tony Buzan's standard routines. In other words, you can start your idea from anywhere you like.
   
   For readers who just want a quick & broad understanding of visual thinking perspectives, I would recommend Robert Horn's 'Visual Language: Global Communication for the 21st Century.'

5 comments about Born Amish.

1. Timely shipment and in great condition. I was very pleased with order.



2. It was so enlighting. It really was interesting to me to actually read about the Amish communitity.



3. This was an interesting book. However, the content was, in my opinion, limited. It was more like an outline with a few details. Information was interesting; but seemed to skim the surface of everyday Amish life.



4. This is the true story of how one woman made the change and left the Amish lifestyle. It tells of the personal struggles of leaving family and lifetime friends all behind to adventure into a new life and follow one's own convictions. Very well written and informative. You can almost feel the pain this lady went through to start her new way of life!
   I feel that all books are over-priced and for that reason I give this book only four stars!



5. this was good book.you can learn a lot.some of it is hard to remember,such as which type bonnet etc.but it was good.she could have even went into more detail of the mistreatment she felt she received from her family,but its the amish way not to offend.nadia rehmani -authoor of sharper than a two edged sword-one woman's walk into Islam and out.thats my story