This is a charming story about a teacher learning from his students. Throughout his 27 year career, he goes from a young teacher, to an experienced educater. At one point he goes to an Ozzy Osborne concert with his students. The book is a good book to read if you have some time on your hands, and it can be read in one week, although it took me a little longer.

I loved this book because it was real. It told both this teacher's great deeds and the mistakes. While I wasn't laughing out loud, I was chuckling inside. As an eighteen year veteran teacher I could relate to many of his stories.

I was a senior in high school before I had the privilege of being in Mr. Meuser's class (yes, I unfortunetely feel the compunction to continue with the mister part). In that year, however, I learned that this man, the author of Class Encounters, was an exceptional teacher. I'm not going to talk about Meuser's character and pretend that it is a substitute for a review of his book, but I will say that his caring, intelligence and humor all come through in his stories. He read these stories to us (who wouldn't rather hear a good story written by your own teacher than learn Calculus?) and managed to keep his audience of self-important and easily bored high school students begging for more. I myself left his classroom not only knowing math, but, from hearing his stories and obstacles and successes, also knowing that I wanted to impact the world and carry those messages he shared on. I am an education major now, and I look at those days as a start of the dream I am now fulfilling.

The book goes into a fair amount of detail on certain topics, like server log files, and the generalized architecture of modern web sites. However, it doesn't really drill into any detail on the issues that may come up, such as cookieless browsers, ideas for cleansing dirty URLs, and methodology issues (when do you not count a pageview?).

As for the construction of the warehouse itself, it does provide some good generalized schemas that you can use for ideas, but nothing that you couldn't dream up yourself with a few days on a project.

A good overview, but no substitute for on-the-job learning.

Mark and Mark have always been known to deliver the kind of detail practitioners demand. They don't disappoint with this book. It's very practical for the typcial implementation.

For those who are looking for "better practice" I offer recommendations that are admittedly outside of their area of expertise. The total approach -- staffing, activities, etc. -- is reflective of the 'typical' IT environment. Web deployment, however is not 'typical IT'. A single box on their team org chart, labeled 'webmaster' should be, in reality an entire collective of specialists who design and develop commercial Web sites (refer to the roles noted at [URL]). It would be roles such at these who would work to establish the requirements, with techniques not covered in this book.

Two other significant considerations not covered by their exhaustive detail are: establishing benchmarks to base metrics against and determining additional feedback loops (to be added to the Web designs) to enhance the data.

This book is an excellent treatment of architecture and detail for constructing a clickstream data warehouse. There are useful examples and explanations of clickstream data, data warehouse design, hardware requirements, performance recommendations, and the ET&L process. The authors seem to take a no fear attitude in revealing problems and suggesting solutions.

By its very title, 'The Divine comedy' announces its theological purpose. For those not so inclined, the 'Inferno' offered many subsidiary pleasures - compelling narrative drive (both in the adventure of two men descinding into hell, and in the stories of the people they meet); an overpowering visual sense, both in the grand design of Hell's geography and the plan of its punishments, and in the individual details of the sinner's torments; and the endearing characterisation of the heroes, Virgil the stern, noble guide, and Dante, the clumsy, gossipy Everyman.

'Purgatory' has fewer of these delights. Here, it is impossible to avoid the doctrine. Every vast visual set-piece (the Angel fighting off the snake in the Valley of the Princes; the Holy Pageant that stuns the Pilgrim in Eden, complete with griffin-drawn chariot; the masque involving violence to said chariot by eagles, foxes, seven-headed monsters and giants) are all so allegorically pre-determined, each feature a religious symbol, that they lack the dramatic force that would have made their images truly poetic.

The plan of Purgatory - the AntePurgatory where those who left repentance to the last moment must wait; the mountain itself, where seven terraces represent the Deadly Sins to be purged; the crowning Earthly Paradise, or Eden, the gateway to Heaven - bears no real comparison, for the reader, to Hell: one's sympathy naturally inclines towards the eternally damned, and one almost resents the complaints of the saved complaining of their discomforture. The stories told the Pilgrim are also of a lesser order - perhaps proving pure evil to be more (aesthetically) attractive than contrition.

There are some moments when genuine terror intrudes - the visions of violation and tempting lust dreamt by the Pilgrim; the baptism of fire he must pass before entering Eden; the show-trial with Beatrice; while tortuous similes and evocations of nature are framed in poetry of intricate beauty (see Borges remarkable essay on the infinite metaphor in Canto 1).

Mark Musa, like most American annotators, has not heeded the lessons of Charles Kinbote, and his commentary to 'Purgatory' is almost loopily overwritten. He is an amiable, enthusiastic and informative guide, and if his translating choices are sometimes questionable, he has the grace to offer other alternatives. His explanation of the purpose of each image or scene makes it easier to follow the poem with greater understanding (if not necessarily enjoyment). But because he concentrates on every line with such minute detail, he frequently misses the wider design, and so, when he is puzzled by lines that don't fit his view of the Comedy, he has a tendency to blame Dante rather than himself.

This is the second volume of Alighieri Dante's classic Divine Comedy. It tells the tale of Dante's journey through Purgatory, led by his guide, Virgil. Having passed through the depths of Hell (the Inferno) in the first volume, Dante and Virgil ascend the mountain of Purgatory, passing its many allegorical characters and observing the penances they must fulfill. The Divine Comedy is a beautiful, epic poem that takes the reader through a wide emotional spectrum and many vivid, picturesque scenes from Dante's fictional afterlife.

This translation was wonderful. Each of the 33 Cantos (Chapters) is set up in this sequence: 1) a short summation by the translator, 2) the poem, and 3) notes on names, characters, and items referenced by Dante. The translator, Mark Musa, even explains in his notes when he has a differing interpretation of a word or phrase than other translators' have had.

Dante used so many references to Greek mythology and events that were common knowledge to educated people of the 13th-14th Century that this poem, without notes, is entirely esoteric and fully appreciated only by the most erudite modern-day readers. Mark Musa brings every reader up to par with his thorough, easily-read notes; thereby making this classic poem a very entertaining and profound experience.

Inferno is the most famous of the trio of volumes of Dante's Divine Comedy. But don't stop there. Purgatory is a beautiful work, illustrating the rise of the human soul through Purgatory's nine ledges. I found it beautiful how the souls were not hurrying. They waited patiently, yet eagerly.

Musa's translation makes all the difference. The language is accessible, but not irreverent or vulgar. A routine I found helpful was to read the introduction to each canto, read the canto, then read all the notes, checking back to reinforce meanings or double check a name or place.

The Pilgrim's journey through this volume is heavily illustrative of God's grace, and yet the idea of each person's responsibilities to God are clear.

Don't stop reading after Inferno. These stirring translations by Musa make it possible to read, understand and love the whole Divine Comedy.

His name is Wally West. He's the fastest man alive. He's the Flash. And he owes it all to his uncle Barry, the second Flash.

Who knew the guy would come calling the dues?

Easily the most popular story in Waid's run on the Flash, the Return of Barry Allen is a fan's dream, with meticulously researched info and an accessible story. Unfortunately, the biggest surprise isn't, and Barry's big secret is pretty easy to see coming. The final chapter also trips the line between drama and melodrama, though the opening to the final fight scene is astounding and poetic.

a lot more then what I expected , a will structured story line with lots of of action and speed heros involved in a most intresting speed fighting .

With all due respect to the great work Geoff Johns is currently doing with the Flash, Mark Waid was the writer who really defined the character for me and remains my favorite. This is the storyline that first made me take notice.

Published in the midst of the "Kill/revamp/screw around with your hero" craze that started with the Death of Superman, when Barry Allen showed up in the Flash comic book, a lot of us didn't know what to make of it. Barry, alias Flash II, had died the ultimate heroic death in "Crisis on Infinite Earths" and had become the Official Martyr of the DC Universe. His nephew, Wally West, took on the Flash mantle but had always struggled, trapped under Barry's shadow.

The best way to sum up this story is with the old chestnut, "Be careful what you wish for." When Barry returns, it seems like the greatest thing that could happen. As it turns out, this isn't the case. The twist doesn't come as too big a surprise to anyone familiar with Flash history, but this story wasn't really about the twist -- it was about the legacy of the Flash, one of Earth's heroes, created by Jay Garrick and immortalized by Barry Allen, and it was about the efforts of the heir to that legacy to rise to the challenge and become not only a hero, but a man. It's a marvelous, touching story, and it's something every Flash fan should read.

Written in plain English, so you can understand everything that's necessary about bladder cancer. No need to sit with a medical dictionairy to explain terms, since everything is put in plain words. I have bladder cancer and this book has put the disease in perspective for me. I would advise anyone that wants to understand this form of cancer to read it now.

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the least discussed: Dr. Mark Schoenberg's Guide To Living With Bladder Cancer tells what is needed to know about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Chapters move from the basic initial signs of such cancer to treatment options and bladder preservation therapy. A quite comprehensive portrait evolves.

This is the only book about bladder cancer that I found for the general public. It's very informative and well written with a general optimistic tone. It was very helpful to understand the diagnosis and treatment options.

At least the diversity of sports used in this tape kept my attention and I did like some of the stories. I even learned some things that I didn't know about some sports luminaries. I wouldn't buy the tape again. Come on, Jack, get some humor in your stories and on the tape. Not everything has to be so serious.

From humorous to serious, the stories contained in this book are well worth reading. Some of the stories are written by the athletes themselves, others by the journalists who covered them, and still others by the everyday sports lover no one has ever heard of outside the communities in which they play and coach. This book covers virtually every sport from little league to the Olympics and professionals, although my four star rating rather than five is a result of the fact that only one soccer and one or two hockey stories appear in the book. Notwithstanding the lack of coverage of my two favorite sports, however, this book made me laugh aloud, and made tears well in my eyes as an athlete, a coach, and a father. The book is worth buying if only for the quotations that precede several of the chapters. Overall, it is a book that can be read in one sitting, or a story at a time; either way, it will inspire and delight anyone who loves sports, and the best and worst in all of us they evoke.

Chicken Soup for the Sports fan's soul is a wonderful book that talks about the good and rich things in both sports and sport life. the book isn't biased and covers everything from baseball to football to hockey and even to baseball card collecting. there are some really nice and touching stories in here.
stories include with Roger Maris, Joe Montana, Michael Jordan, John Elway, and Mickey Mantle to name a few.
great book for anyone who loves sports.

this book will not only make you feel good about yourself, but also give you a greater appreciation for the game.

this sucks, thats all i have to say

This book is filled with delightful, touching stories that will melt your heart and make you remember your childhood. Very similar to the book, Forget Me Knots from the Front Porch, this book will take you home and be a great gift for that certain someone you didn't know what to buy for.

This is a book of really tender, touching and well-chosen stories that simply touched my heart and often tickled my funnybone. There are folks out there who simply don't get it. If it doesn't have sex, violence, or negativity; if it's missing nastiness, failure, unhappiness, being unfulfilled and alienated, it can't be "Literature". Well, let them browse in a different section.
This is a CHICKEN SOUP book, for God's sake. It has true stories. They spend a lot of time and energy finding really good ones, stories where people contend with life's difficulties and attempt to make sense of them. And they offer inspiration and hope to countless people. I read recently that there are over 84 million in print, in 51 languages around the world. So the nay-sayers can just buzz off. I LOVED this book!

I am a American student learning German as my second language. My German teacher recently purchased this book and I thought it was wonderful!! It's a good book to read to children and it makes me not want to play with fire! :) I can't understand every word in the book because I'm only in my second year of learning German but what I can read of it is great! When I am older, much older, I hope to teach my child/children english and german at the same time. I also plan to read this book to them. Having children is a FAR way off but it's a plan! And don't worry about me talking about children because I plan to be married and 26 or 27 when that happens! lol.

This is a classic German children's book. My parents read this to me when I was a child; it was one of my favorite books. The book teaches children about manners. It teaches you that when you do something wrong, there are consequences. Der Struwwelpeter was originally written about 150 years ago.

The author of this book is a German doctor .In his day, thereare no books for kids reading specially. One day,he wanted to buy abook for his lovely daughtor as a christmas present, but he didn'tfind a suitable one .So he decided to "create" the book writing for kids specially. Every kid who had read the book loved it very much ,after he sent it to his daughtor . There is no except for me , after listening to my teacher telling the ten stories in this book. First time, I was shocked by the story , but in a short time I have love it. Sometimes you may be theatened by it , but it also satisfied you a craving. It is not like a creed to forbid childrens to do those thins most parents will be angry with, although the author himself is a father . I think this book will not only catch the children's heart but all the readers!

Wow, great book. i was very impressed with the way Tregaskis reported the story. He does an excellent job in entertaining the reader while putting forth the facts. Great book for ANYONE of almost ANY AGE.

Read Tregaski's description of Red Mike Edson (paraphrase - the mouth smiles but not the eyes)...his account of the Tenaru River and Bloody Ridge....and marvel how the long road back started. Consider spending a few bucks on a first edition - surprisingly affordable. Then re-read every couple of years.

Richard Tregaskis, a 24-year-old reporter, went ashore with the 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal. He lived with the men, sleeping on the ground and eating the same chow. He remained on that nightmarish piece of coral for 50 days, usually under combat conditions. His retelling of the engagement along the Tenaru is as good or better than other first hand reports. His description of the several days of combat on Edson's Ridge was excellent, as he had moved his tent to that elevated location the morning of the first day. With an eye toward the readers' morale, losses of flights at Henderson Field were not reported as accurately as they could have been. As many as seven aircraft had crashed on take off while he was still on the island. Tregaskis left the island before the major battles on the Matanikau or the desperate fight for Henderson Field, but he had his story. He had seen the boys of democracy turn back the seemingly invincible Japanese Army; he had seen some of our flyers defeat the unstoppable Zeros; he had seen our navy hold their own against the designers of the attack on Pearl Harbor and he hurried home to tell the American public. This book was started aboard a B-24 before he returned home and was an instant best seller. This was a first hand reporting of our first offensive engagement of WW II. A nation hungry for news of the front greeted it eagerly. Not even the casual reader of WW II can bypass this major work, if for no other reason than the place it holds in the history of the war in it's own right.

Being in the professional negotiation game, I thoroughly enjoy reading books which describe and tutor the subject. Although the current market is lousy with negotiating treatises, there are a few that stand out. Fisher and Ury's GETTING TO YES seems to be my favorite, one I return to time and again. However, I believe it healthly to step outside conventional wisdom and somewhat static norms to expand one's knowledge base. Although I had no idea of the content, quality or readability of GUERRILLA NEGOTIATING, I took a flyer on it as it "looked" like it might be of some interest.

Authors Levinson, Smith and Wilson have been working together for some time now promoting the "Guerrilla" books, seminars, tapes, etc. and have been quite successful, commercially. Although this is my first "Guerilla" book, I know of their successes and common acceptance within many business circles. However, I don't judge a book or theory based on the opinions of others so, of course, I had to buy this book to determine if it had the content described in the hype.

The easy answer is that yes, indeed, this book contains the basics of negotiation theory and time-tested schemes and strategies. The problem I had with GUERRILLA NEGOTIATING was its complete lack of fluidity and cogence. Its almost as though the authors "bulleted" the book and a ghost writer took their words verbatim without the benefit of explanatory offsets. This book does very little to describe complex situations with offered solutions and options. Remember, when reading a non-fiction book AND if one is a serious reader of non-fiction, the reader will be looking for that ONE gem within the book to add to his/her repretoire. This book is basic in nature and lacked the ability to truly explain the negotiating process. Without an explanation of the framework and processes, a new negotiatior will be totally lost. And, if one is attempting to put to work the Guerrilla tactics, they will most likely present their case in a staggered, illogical, and perhaps, unprofessional manner as the authors failed to bring together the process of "beginning-to-end." This is my main gripe about the book.

To say that the book is not "Guerrilla" in nature would be a dramatic misstatement. The authors present a variety of tactics to move negotiations along including, well, a water gun. Yep, a water gun. The authors posit that if negotiations are bogged down or if you are having a difficult time moving a decisionmaker, bring a water gun to the table and threaten (or begin) to shoot him. Now, in a sales setting and depending on the sophistication of the other party, this "might" work. In a professional setting, this is tantamount to death. Lack of common sense given the facts and circumstances of a particular situation can be the death knell of a pending transaction.

Nevertheless, I cannot say this is a bad book. The book presents the materials necessary for the new negotiatior and, even some level of information for the seasoned negotiator. It is interesting that once a negotiator establishes a style, he/she just looks for ways to enhance that style. This book could fill that role.

Bottom line....if you're new to negotiating, this book will provide "glimpse-level" insight into the process. Don't look for the proverbial outline, its not there. The book doesn't present the reader with a process toward successful negotiations or even negotiation theory for that matter. On the other hand, the book does present the reader with a trove of summarized negotiating nuggets that will most likely be beneficial to many initiates. Further, the book provides summary resource materials.

CONTENT = great; READABILITY = poor.

Guerrilla Negotiating provides a quality insight into effective negotiating tactics. The author teaches and advocates the following quality virtues: empathy, listening, fairness, and compassion. The virtues build upon these core belief system as a foundation for guerilla negotiation. This philosophy of doing business is based upon time, energy, and imagation. It is called philosophy because the guerrilla seeks truth and speaks the truth. Setting truth as the highest aspiration allowing the guerrilla access to information before the masses which can be used for gain.

The guerrilla improves proficiency in the areas of word association, using an active voice,qualifiers, amplifiers, softeners, minimizers, directors, authority builders, trace words and phrases, imagination triggers, option degenerators, spotlight phrases, emotive directors, responsibility directors, presuppositions, comparitives, and linkages. The author emphasize the importance of good communication skills and how power words can change mental understanding of concept and context. The author differs communication into two styles: One for the internal listener and one for the external listener.

Probably the best part of the book was a chapter titled, "How to win on price". Guerrillas know how their customer feels about their prices. Guerrillas know happy customers know what value they receive for a price. For instance, buyers don't stay up all night worrying how much they paid, instead, they worry what they bought won't do the job. Buyers want performance and Sellers want profit. Guerrillas know that this cycle must be maintained for their business to survive. Guerrilas try to avoid negotiating on price. I think price negotiating is a lossing game because often times the seller does know when to walk away and often they get caught in continual price battles and in some cases forced to accept lower prices.

So back to communication, the author suggest 10 ways to improve your presentation: 1. Discuss specific benefits your counterpart gains 2. Show exclusive superior features and don't waste your time on the basics. 3. Project that you are reliability and dependable. 4. Position what you have to offer as the right price 5. Demostrate the time is right to decide no you now. 6. Use proof statements to support your position 7. Support your case with visual aid (visuals and discussion increase memory retention) 8. Present and emotional appeal. 9. Dramatize your stories 10. Include a demostration.

The overall theme of the book is excellent. Negotiations are not a zero sum, winner take all exercise. A truly successful negotiation is one in which both (or all ) parties leave satisfied and in better shape as a result of the agreement than they would be without it. Too many people in the business world take the old track and think that they need to win, and that everyone else must lose, a mindset that is distructive for themselves, customers, suppliers and anyone else they do business with. That is why this book is a must read. It also supplies examples for increasing the size of the pie before dividing it, ways to recognize predatory negotiators, how to defend against their strategy, and most importantly what YOU need to do to prepare for and conduct a successful negotiation.