As Dr. Proactive, I am always looking for examples to explain the 5 parts of proactive thinking to others. I usually find one or two examples in a dozen books. But Mark has delivered dozens of great examples in one superb book.
I read the whole book in a day and now I'm going back and studying it, memorizing it, and most importantly, putting it into action by redoing my "Success Bound" and "Proactive Success" marketing plans and websites to make sure they incorporate every strategy from "MindControlMarketing.com".
After his great discovery of relativity Einstein said, "The answers have changed." If he were alive today, he would have to say that again.
If you are planning for a successful future -- if you want to be proactive -- then you must come to grips with the fact that Mind Control Marketing now equals Marketing Success.
I read a lot more books than I review because I only want to rate those I highly recommend. This is one review I couldn't wait another moment to write, and if I could give it a 6 star rating -- I would!
Randy Gilbert, best-selling author of "Success Bound" and
creator of "Proactive Success: The Amazing NEW Science of Personal Achievement"
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That said, I do have two criticisms of the book: the author gets a little long winded, which was not the sense I got from another similarly brilliant book, Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls." Often more is less. To me, the truly great books are believable, and I felt the author wandered across the line of plausibility on occasion.
"A Soldier of the Great War" is a deep, thoughtful, and moving book, and is a very enjoyable and memorable read. It will go on my "favorites" list.
But this dry description does no justice whatsoever to this amazing novel of love, war and dwarves who hate typewriters.
In recounting the life story of Alessandro Giuliani through the tragedy of the First World War and beyond, Mark Helprin has created a masterpiece of literature, unique, immensely rich and utterly unputdownable.
As Alessandro journeys through the war, from Rome, to Sicily, to the Alps and deep into the Austrian Empire, he gradually discovers three things: first, it's impossible to tell what the purpose of war is. Second, Alessandro himself is not going to die, which makes the loss of those he loves even harder to bear. Third, hope is not the opposite of despair, rather it's what we make of despair in order to live our lives.
This is a cross between Catch-22, Captian Corelli's Mandolin and Baron Von Munchausen, and in many respects is better than them all. Alessandro finds himself in so many amazing (and often unbelievable) brushes with death that this reader lost count and simply marvelled that each episode surpasses its predecessor.
Yes, like any great work the book has its flaws. I think it would have benefitted from a sterner editor as it is probably a hundred pages too long. The difficulty of course would be in deciding which hundred pages to cut. Having said that, I gave a copy to my father, who is a stern critic of war novels. He was utterly gripped.
It is long, though. Don't expect to be able to put it down, either. This is a book you have to make space in your life for. But you won't regret it.
This book will become your friend. The two Helprin books I've read have both featured enigmatic, nearly messianic leading men. Alessandro, the title character, is simultaneously brilliant, philosophic, violent, indolent, and hopelessly romantic. His story is unbearably sad at times, but also equal parts hilarious and touching. I can give you no higher recommendation. This book is absolutely wonderful.
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Why did I get this book? I'm not an IT person, but I write a lot of code... mainly for PHP/MySQL-based web sites that usually run Unix-based systems using Apache servers. When offered the challenge of designing a huge web-based application for my employer's intranet, I accepted, but only later found out I had to run my scripts on a Windows 2000 Server. And to make it worse, I would not be allowed to administer the server... only our IT department staff was allowed admin rights to it. And if that wasn't bad enough, no one on our IT staff knew how to run Win 2K Server. Yet they expected me to have all the answers for them. This book has given me the answers.
Now, don't get this book if you are looking for guidance on running PHP/MySQL on Win 2K... no no no. There's plenty of information on the net for that. What I'm talking about is the stuff like Active Directory, or DSN, or SMTP... things that I needed to know to get all our users up and running with the correct permissions to specific directories, databases, email, etc. Its a good introduction to the topics to familiarize yourself with the terminology. If you need advanced coverage on a topic, you may need to get other resources. But this has been a great starting point for me.
One point I want to re-emphasise... before I bought this book, I bought another book on MS IIS 5.0 which just about made me sick to my stomach. The other author was some kind of pro-MS zealot and laced the book with lots of sugary-sweet praise for MS. But not Minasi. I was impressed with his balanced perspective and his mix of both compliments and criticisms.
Anyway, I recommend this to people who know little to nothing about Windows 2000 Server.
In Mastering Windows 2000 Server he covers all the topics that you need to understand and setup a system. Topics covered include DNS, Active Directory, security (internal, remote, file level, etc.), heterogenous networks, the MMC, TCP/IP, IIS, RAS, Software Installation and dozens of other areas. His treatment of each area is thorough and written in a style that most readers with a basic understanding of computers can easily understand. It is not a book that is specifically pointed toward passing one of the MCSE exams but is much more useful than those books that teach you how to spit out Microsoft answers. Instead it actually gives you the foundation and knowledge to actually work with the system and resolve real world problems, something that most exam focused books do not generally provide.
This book should be on the bookshelf of any administrator who is working in a Windows 2000 Server environment or anyone who wants to understand the system. While my company has several technical books on the 2000 Operating System, Mark Minasi's are always the most consulted. The other books are in such good condition that they could be sold again as new.... but not Mastering Windows 2000 Server by Mark Minasi. It is simply the most complete, accurate and understandable book on Windows 2000 Server on the market.
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with Lucille, the wacko aunt of 12-year old Peejoe, the story's narrator, as she heads to audition for a part on the Beverly Hillbillies. Along for the ride in the back seat of a stolen Cadiallac, Lucille has the head of her husband Chester stored in a Tupperware lettuce crisper. Lucille gives Chester rat poison mixed in a cup of coffee, then decapitates him with the Sunbeam craving knife, because Chester refuses to let her go to Hollywood for the audition. It's Lucille's life long dream to be a Hollywood actress. One of the funiest lines from the book, Lucille says, "Chester said no, when he should've said yes." He'd still be alive. She drops their children off at her mother's and takes off as a fugitive. Peejoe is the only one she tells the whole story to, before she runs off. Along the way she gets into a number of funny situations, while back home in Alabama her family, in particular 12-year old Peejoe, are left to deal with the aftermath. A parallel story line in the book is the civil rights movement in small town Alabama and the very votile race relations during the times. I give Crazy in Alabama 5 out of 5 stars. The book was made into a movie and was the directorial debut of Antonio Bandraas. His wife Melanie Griffith starred as Lucille. I stongly suggest reading the book before watching the movie. The movie is not nearly as funny or well written as the book. Excellent book and a definite winner for author Mark Childress.
The White Wolf version of VtM is stand alone, you buy the book, some 10 sided dice (from a hobby store or White Wolf's website)and you're ready to play. The "Storyteller" rule system is pretty simple and has been revised and improved. There are many other White Wolf products that use the same Storyteller system (Werewolf, Demon, Mage and so on) so your World of Darkness can grow and expand. White Wolf's emphasis on Role Playing instead of dice rolling and complex rules probably make this a great choice for someone new to RPGs. Be warned however, White Wolf's products and website can be very, very dark and profane. Probably not a good choice for children in my opinion. The game itself is very original, imaginitive and popular.
GURPS (Generic Universal Roleplaying System) by Steve Jackson Games is a fairly detailed RPG system. The GURPS version of VtM is NOT a stand alone product. You must first own a copy of "GURPS Basic Set" (availabe here at Amazon.com) to play GURPS VtM. One difference is that GURPS uses 6 sided dice which are readily available (bonus). The GURPS system was developed as sort of an answer to everything thing that was annoying about the grandaddy of RPGs, Dungeons and Dragons. D&D was an immense rules system that spaned many tomes and modules, required many types of dice and was stuck in sword and sorcery mode. GURPS allows you to play any type of character, in any type of setting imaginable all from one book (GURPS Basic Set and some six sided dice). The GURPS rules system is going to be a larger investment in time to master than Storyteller, but it is detailed and logical. I personally like it.
Two last thoughts, you don't necessarily have to play a Vampire character in the GURPS version of VtM. You could play a Psychic or Combat Specialist who gradually learns about the Vampires and begin to unwravel the Masquerade. Eventually the characters could be embraced by Sabbat Vampires or attacked by the Camarillan Vampires. You could play a Vampire who goes into Torpor for a few centuries and wakes up in a post apocalypse future. Only the Game Master would be allowed to use the Vampire book as a source, and the game would run from the Basic Set. The players would gradually be drawn into the shadowy, secretive World of Darkness. Also the GURPS version is toned down a bit and is more appropriate for young people.
I'm probably the only person who bought this book with no intention of using it as it was meant to be used--as a role-playing guide to the "Vampire: The Masquerade" game. I don't play role-playing games--I even have an aversion to games in general (mostly video ones)--but I really love vampires, so I had to buy this book. Probably the thing I like the most about it is all of the beautiful black-and-white drawings inside. They really get the imagination juices flowing.
The beginning part of the book is basically an introduction to VtM, familiarizing the reader with the basic rules, its Gothic-Punk setting, vocabulary, and tips on effective storytelling. Then it goes deeper into dice rolling, character creation, and bloodlines. This latter part is my favorite in the book, describing the attributes and abilities of the seven clans of the Camarilla: Brujah, Nosferatu, Tremere, Ventrue, Gangrel, Toreador, and Malkavian. (But if you really want further insight into these clans, then I'd highly recommend any--or all--of the Clanbooks.) There is also a character sheet at the end of the book you can Xerox, as well as an example story to further help players.
I think I've read this thing about half a dozen times (though not usually from front to back), and it takes about that many times to thoroughly comprehend and memorize all of the above--rules, guidelines, etc.--without having to refer to the book all the time (unless you're a fast learner). If you enjoy role-playing games--or if you're like me and just like anything vampire-oriented--then I highly recommend this book. It's well worth your time and money.
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Nonetheless, for a Jordan fan or just a basketball fan that doesn't owe a good photo album of Michael's aerial magic yet - this one is a must! It is full of absolutely amazing shots of MJ flying and defying gravity, dunking over his defenders way above the rim, defending all-time bests etc. Some of the photos have already become classics (such as Jordan's dunk from the foul line), others despite not being very known to the public are just as incredible. My favorite is the picture of MJ as an 11-12 year old kid in baseball uniform at bat swinging through - whoever took this picture managed to capture Jordan's eyes and coincidently the inhuman concentration, will power and desire in them. This album has plenty of photos of this quality.
I highly recommend this album unless you already own a really good Jordan's photo album.
Next comes the photography...another media that I have been involved in for several years. The mix of photographs do not only show Michael the NBA superstar, but also show Michael the husband and father. The images in this book give you a true insight into what type of a man Michael Jordan really is. It is easy to see parts of your own life as you get a small glimpse into his.
Last, but certainly not least, are the words. These are not the words of a professional writer, they are the words of man who has come to realize how famous and he really is, and in many respects, is somewhat in awe of it all.
Michael is a rare individual in our society, he is wealthy beyond most of our wildest dreams, he is a master at the game of basketball, but he has found that fame and fortune are not the true measure of a man. No, its how you live your life that is truly important.
This book shows not only Michael's love for the game, but his love for life itself.
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With the laughs that Adams provides the interest continues to see what smart thing he will say next. Adams takes a twist on writing this non-fictional book because he is a fictional writer. He does a good job on providing detailed information and a broad understanding of what goes on with animal life. Overall the book is interesting because it talks about issues that are hardly taken into consideration. This book is perfectly fitted for environmentalist and animal lovers.
This is a truly excellent read for anyone who is a fan of Douglas Adams or environmentalism, and I guarantee you won't be able to put it down for long. :)
Douglas Adams ISBN 0-345-37198-4
Last Chance to See, by Douglas Adams, is a powerful and insightful look at the alarming number of endangered animals and the attempts being made to preserve them. Written by Douglas Adams, the hit writer of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series, Last Chance To See is a non-fiction book that appeals to the entire range of senses. Adams manages to intertwine humor into a glum topic, which sets this book apart from others, such as Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
In the book Adams travels around the world with a zoologist, Mark Carwardine, and relays the humorous and sad details of everything he sees. In one part he receives a letter from a government official in the Zairian airport. The letter, which is supposedly written to the citizens of the country asking them to help the visitors, is not even written in the most common language. Adams does a great job with his imagery and draws the reader into the beautiful areas that he sees these magnificent animals in.
Even though chapters of this book were written between 1985 and 1989, Adams is able to tie them together beautifully to create a story that never stops. Most people should enjoy this book because it has many faces. It is a comedy yet it still speaks about the animals and their habitat. The book is accompanied with interesting color photographs of the animals Adams treks around the world to see. I really enjoyed this book. As fan of the comedy series I believe that it follows in it foot steps. So whether you are a fan of comedy, non-fiction, or just interested in animals Last Chance To See if a must read.
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I have searched the internet to send a fan letter to Mark Fuhrman. Hopefully, this review will reach him.
Whatever you may think of Fuhrman after the OJ Simpson trial debacle, after reading this book, you can't deny that he is an excellent detective. He explains the basic principles of crime investigation and shows how the Greenwich police botched the case. In addition, his conclusions are well thought out and detailed. I can't believe how much trouble and resistance he encountered in gathering information on this case.
His reasoning is easy to follow and his conclusions, based on the facts, make you wonder why no one was arrested before now! If you have any doubts about Fuhrman's abilities as a detective, read Vincent Bugliosi's "Outrage." I hope Fuhrman will tackle the JonBenet Ramsey case....then maybe justice will be served there as well.
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