FRANK FEATHER HAS BEEN A VISIONARY FOR MANY YEARS. THIS BOOK PROVES HE HASN'T LOST HIS TALENT! HE EXPLAINS WHAT HAS BECOME OF OUR NATIONS CONSUMERS AND WHAT IS YET TO COME - VERY EXCITING PREDICTIONS - I LOOK FORWARD TO EXPERIENCING THE FUTURE CONSUMER.COM PHENOMENON -

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This book is a winner and well worth your time and money. I found the 1st edition of "Future Consumer.Com" extremely useful in my work as a strategic planning and marketing consultant, referring to it often. And so did my clients.

But I just read the new, updated, 2nd Edition (in softcover), and it is even better! I fully agree that the first book was worth *5 Stars* but this is worth more and is bound to be successful. I remember the 1st edition was on Amazon's business best-seller lists for several weeks when it first came out. This one should do even better.

Not only has the material been updated to account for the dot-com shakeout (with the author explains in compelling detail) but new case study material has been added. As well, Feather has updated all his forecasts for e-commerce sales, by category, and basically is sticking with his original forecasts to 2010. And, based on the ongoing trend in e-commerce, I think he will be proven correct.

The 2nd edition also has some brand new material in the form of an Introduction that was not in the 1st edition. This 20-odd page chapter alone is worth the modest price of the book. It is an articulate, well-argued, but blistering critique of Harvard strategy guru Michael Porter who, in 2001, wrote a strategy paper in Harvard Business Review that basically claimed that the Internet changes nothing as far as strategy goes. When I read Porter's piece, I felt he was being very defensive of his own strategy model and failed to support his arguments, dismissing succesful online business models such as AOL and Amazon as exceptions to the rule. Feather brilliantly takes Porter's feeble argument apart, and shows why and how the Internet changes the rules of competition and, hence, business models and marketing strategy -- both in the online and offline world. I repeat, this chapter alone is worth the price of the ticket.

One final point worth noting is that the new 2nd edition retains the excellent layout and design of the 1st edition. So it is relatively easy to compare the two texts to see what's new and different. As well, the few typos that one reviewer found annoying in the earlier edition have all been fixed.

In short, this is a crisp, clean, up-to-date and easy-to-read book that everybody in business strategy and marketing should be reading. Feather's out-of-the box thinking not only stretches your mind but suggests concrete ways to achieve greater marketplace success. Whether you're selling products and services on Main Street or over the Web, this book points the way.

I would give it "7 Stars out of 5" but I am restricted to 5. Do yourself a favor and put this book, not on your bookshelf, but on your desktop. And get your colleagues to buy one too. Your business will only benefit.
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I have my own internet business and I use this book to promote the future of the internet and business. It is a great window into the future! Great E-Biz book!

I just took the Golden Touch craps dice control course with Sharpshooter and Frank Scoblete in Tunica, Mississippi. This book and Frank's Forever Craps were the text books for the course. They are must reading if you want to learn the basics of dice control and how to bet on random rollers when they are shooting. I also recommend their course. You can go to their website ... to find out more about it, but don't take the course until you have thoroughly read this book and Scoblete's book. They are both great books.

The game of craps is no longer a game that can't be beaten. The work of Frank Scoblete in Forever Craps and Sharpshooter in Get the Edge at Craps has shown us that utlizing certain dice sets, grips, and delivery methods, coupled with good betting strategies, the game of craps can be overcome by skilled controlled shooters. Having seen both Scoblete and Sharpshooter in action at the tables, I can tell you that these two have mastered what they preach.

As a previous reader wrote, I too have taken a course under the instruction of Sharpshooter and Frank Scoblete. I too have learned the technique. It isn't something that is easy, but dice control can be an acquired skill if you work at it. This book by Sharpshooter is the textbook that you should use for your approach to dice control as it has just about everything imagineable on the subject. If, after reading this book, you want to learn from the masters themselves, you can go to their website goldentouchcraps.com and learn about their classes.

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I stopped by the Gambler's Book Store for a look. The gentleman there asked if he could help me, and when I replied that I was just looking to see what was new out there, he opined that there was really nothing new to be written in gaming for the traditional table games.

I would like to think that Sharpshooter's book is something new. Sure, controlled or rhythmic throwing and setting are not new topics. What is new is the integration of all elements and presents to the crap player with an open mind the actual techniques that can be done by anyone willing to put in the time to practice and fully understand and integrate all that is presented. While another reviewer mentions that more in depth presentations have been made by other authors such as Scoblete and others, I doubt if any of them presents it in as systematic and as simple as Sharpshooter does here.

There are people that believe that all dice throws are random and nothing we can do can influence that. This book will probably not change your mind. But to those that are open, there are mathematical and logical presentations, as well as rigid mechanics arguments that would have you think that it can be possible. For those that are open to that, this book will detail exactly how you can learn to do it.

As a disclaimer, I have to reveal that I have taken a course taught by Sharpshooter and have seen these things in a casino, as well as had a beginning level of success commensurate to my experience. I will say that the book contains almost everything that was presented in the course materials, with nothing held back. I am a health professional, and my educational background is strongly weighted in the science and mathematical fields. The arguments that Sharpshooter presents are mathematically and physically sound. Everything that Sharpshooter presents in his seminar is here, save the personal instruction on your personal mechanics.

You will not be able to control the dice 100% of the time. Even Randy Johnson doesn't strike out every single batter he faces. But by controlling the outcome of as little as 1 throw in 43 will put you at break even with the casino. Any better than this yields a positive edge in the casino. Compare that to what card counters experience as an edge in blackjack.

For someone that is looking for a different approach to craps than the standard money management angles, this is a book that can give them something new.

I wanted to read this story because I had heard it dealt with Wolverine's background, involving his samurai training. Well, the story didn't disappoint, as it dealt with not only that aspect but the romantic side of the character as well. Before Claremont and Miller got their hands on the fan-favourite character, Wolverine used to be a one dimensional violent character. Through the talents of the two brilliant writers, Wolverine know has a more noble side to him, and it comes through in the story. For on of the better Wolverine books, pick this one up.

But what else could it be with two of the greatest comic book professionals ever teaming up to add much needed dimension to a character that was at the time a little flat. The fact that this story idea was created and plotted as Claremont and Miller were driving back from the San Diego comic book convention probably helped fuel some of the angst that the poured into revamping Logan's character.

This story cements Wolverine as a Ronin, a Samurai without a master, and shows him one of his greatest loves, the tragic Mariko Yashida, who is still one of my favorites out of Logan's vast bevy of beauties.

Whether you're a long time Wolverine/X-Men reader and somehow managed to skip over this one, or a fan of the movies and looking for a place to start, I highly recommend this graphic novel.

Just a note, if you are just beginning, please check out the Essential Wolverine volumes 1-3. For the money you get a lot a great reading and even more insight into this enigmatic mutant.

First off, I must disagree with Zsinj16 whom does not like the art. The artwork in this series (made into a single edition) is awesome. Nowadays Wolverine, who is a little guy, is drawn like he is juiced up on steroids and growth horomone. In this graphic novel, like the early X-Men comic books he was a part of, he is drawn like an athletic man. Logan is a warrior, but does not have "Super" strength. In short, I love the art, it's realistic, colorful, and shows the movements of battle, a long lost aspect of super-hero comics.

This tale is how Logan wins the hand of his lover, who belongs to a crime syndicate family in Japan. It also has great characters, such as Asano, that have history with Wolverine. It is a "must read".

There are two sentences on page 59 that sums up this book. They are, "Begin by deciding how much risk is comfortable and then seek the optimum level of return at that point. ... An advisor can then construct a portfolio that has the highest possible expected return within that risk criteria." The book touches on basic concepts and theories, but does little to help you figure out how to implement those theories. I found this book to be no help at all. I don't know if these other reviewers are friends of his, but I just don't understand giving this book 5 stars.

For the uninitiated investor, The Informed Investor, provides a solid grounding in the basics of investing in index funds and mutual funds using an asset allocation approach. Armstrong does not provide earth shattering revelations or trade secrets of the markets, but does provide a methodical way of evaluating your investment needs and then showing you how to put together a practical mutual fund-type diversified portfolio.

Most individual investors have no game plan or written investment goals. They may have a lofty goal of obtaining 10 - 20% annual returns over the long-term. Now that we've experienced a significant bear market-which may get worse - the investor needs to sit down and realistically assess his/her financial needs and use a time-tested investing approach.

Armstrong's book offers a systematic approach to understanding the investment scene. He covers long-term trends and returns in the various investment categories from 1926 - 2000 and shows that stocks were the way to go - especially small company stocks. He then provides a 32-page informative discussion on assessing the risk of investing - a subject that many investors don't know too much about. Unfortunately, most investors pay little attention to this vital subject and end up losing their shirts because they don't understand the elements of risk.

Armstrong then covers modern portfolio theory, the efficient frontier, and the overwhelming importance of proper asset allocation (e.g., stocks, bonds, and cash) compared to individual stock selection or market timing. Other topics covered include: whether managers add value (not really), benchmarks, controlling costs and taxes, and some investing horror stories.

Armstrong provides interesting statistics on building a portfolio first with an allocation of 60% in the S&P 500 and 40% in long-term bonds from 1975- 2000. This portfolio provided and annual return of 14.43% with a standard deviation of 11.42%. He then provides different portfolio mixes and ends with a portfolio of investment vehicles that provide an annual return of 14.71% with a standard deviation of 9.09% -- a significant improvement in lowering its riskiness. Armstrong provides guidelines in investing for retirement using a global equity exposure and bonds.

Once the allocation is determined the next step is to actually select the investment vehicles. Here, Armstrong focuses on selecting mutual funds, closed end funds unit investment trusts, REITs, variable annuities, ETFs, and index funds. He points out the differences of using investment advisors or doing it yourself.

There is an appendix with a sample investment policy statement for individuals that can serve as a model for most individuals with appropriate adjustments, as necessary.

In conclusion, Armstrong provides a practical, easy-to-implement asset allocation approach using no-load mutual funds and other vehicles. For individuals that need an advisor, he provides helpful hints in selecting one. The new and average investor will greatly benefit from the wisdom provided in this book.

I bought this after seeing it in a magazine and left it on the shelf for six months. I should have picked it up sooner.

This is exactly what I needed. I have no formal training with investing. I thought investing was opening a savings account, buying CDs and putting money into my company's retirement plan. I had a crude understanding of the way things work, but this book opened my eyes to options (like index funds) that I did not know about -- and for that matter, would probably never be told about by a broker or my company's 401k administrator. It is especially informative in light of the accounting and broker scandals of the last year and a half.

It is clearly written. No mumbo jumbo. The Informed Investor informs-as advertised.

Buyer beware! Nothing on the cover reveals that this is born-again Christian propaganda,the hero an Indiana Jones who stops to pray. The bad guy actually IS an anti-god and not just a human with a sheet. I was shocked when my daughter brought it home. It is a very creepy book.

It's Frank Peretti's brilliant novel writing skills...condensed! It's a super-cool family of archeologists--minus a mother--who investigate phenomena in the spirit of Indiana Jones, only with a Christian perspective.

The Coopers are on a nice, run-of-the-mill, routine dig in Israel, when they uncover a huge pit. Then one of their crew falls - or is pulled - down, and never seen again. After being captured by the creepy Yahrrim, the local tribesmen who live in fear of their god, meeting their prophetess, Marah, and encountering a rough and mysterious desert rogue they are finally forced to enter. . .The Tombs of Anak.

Riddles, action, suspense, and coolness are loaded to the gills in this book, just great for young people who want to read some cool stuff without the junk and gore of Illinois Jones, or whatever. And yes, there is Christian material in these books, as another reviewer so angrily stated. Refreshing if you ask me.

Parental warnings: Lots of creepy stuff in this book...the Yahrrim are scary - when we first meet them, they're in the middle of an underground ritual - and lots of other scary things happen in the book. I read them when I was younger, and I thought they were cool. And I never needed the Arkansas Jones movies!

The Tombs of Anak is a very creepy book. It's full of excitement and although it is Peretti's children's series it is a very entertaining book for the older reader as well. I would recommend this book to anyone over thirteen. I'd say it's too frightening for anyone younger than that.

I found this book to be totally riveting and interesting to the point that Frank hated the modernization of the entertainment business but is apparently guilty of everything he hated in today's entertainers with the exception of drugs. George Jacobs rats on Frank but in a loving way. It is clear that Jacobs loved the man and his style but hated what the 60's and future were and did do to his boss.

I find the contents of the book to be open and honest. There's enough written here about the usual incidents, lots of confirmation of events but from a totally different perspective. It looks like Jacobs saw the world in a similar vain to Frank. And while I cannot imagine his children enjoying this book, at least the author is alligned with them on his feelings about Frank's 4th wife.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves Frank Sinatra, the whole person. I am a true fan. This book made me revere him more, although the womanizing would have killed a mere mortal long before Frank passed on. What a life! If it all weren't so true, it would be a great fairytale.

I am reading this book now and cannot seem to put it down. I saw George Jacobs on "The Today Show" and he was fascinating. I immediately went out and bought this book which has had me shocked, intrigued and laughing out loud at some points. The way in which this book is written is downright hilarious sometimes as are the descriptions Jacobs uses to describe certain people in Sinatra's life. Aside from being funny, it also let's the reader in on the different side of Frank Sinatra. The human side.

This is a great book for many reasons. The most obvious is that we get a glimpse of Frank Sinatra's private life from a close friend (well an employee really, but obviously a friend too) who was there to witness Frank's rise to the heights again after "From Here To Eternity" all the way to the turbulent late '60s. This includes Frank's "swingin" years so be ready for plenty of details about his love life.
As for Jacobs himself, although the book is 95% about Frank, I found it fascinating just how much Jacobs still loves the man. He's seen Frank at his highest highs and lowest lows and yet still seems to have total devotion and respect for Sinatra. How many fired employees still love their boss? Its a sympathetic, loving portrait of Sinatra, but one that doesn't hold any punches. Both Jacobs and Sinatra's personalities make for an interesting, sometimes hilarious book.

This is an excellent work on the development of American military strategy over the years. It will serve both as a standard work of reference, and an excellent read in its own right.

The book is at its best on the early Republic and the era from the Civil War to WWI. Later chapters are slightly weaker, possibly becase there is a plethora of books on the run-up to WWII, the conflict itself and its aftermath.

What is fascinating is watching the evolution of a nation deeply suspicious of a standing army (something inherited both from the British tradition, and from the experience of the Revolution), and looking for quick and easy solutions ro defend its seaborne commerce. In fact, Thomas Jefferson bleieved in strong coastal defences, and small ships equipped to defend ports. This was a disastrous strategy which misfired in the War of 1812. The British showed that command of the sea was command of the coast -such an invader could pick his spot for a landing, and proceed.
The North itself used this strategy in the Civil War.

For many years, Indian fighting was the main occupation of the army, usually supplemented by local volunteers. However, the foundation of West Point led to a significant improvement in that a cadre of trained officers were now available. In the Civil War, most of the high command (and one of the Presidents) were West-Point trained, and performed well (with exceptions) as tacticians and strategists compared with European contemporaries.

In Weigley's view (and I disagree with him slightly) Grant and Sherman emerge as the two best military strategists of the Civil War period. My only cavil is that he possibly is too hard on Grant, crediting him with a mistaken emphasis on mass and concentration that led to the bloody battles in Virginia (1864 - Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor) which bled the Confederates white but also severely mauled Grant's own army.

True, Sherman had an instinctive grasp of the turning movement and the destruction of enemy resources as a strategy of attrition. But he learned this from Grant, and Grant's own aberrant attacking mode lasted only three months, thereafter he also went back to turning movements. In fact, his crossing of the James after Cold Harbor was probably the boldest and most effective stroke of the war (better even than Vicksburg) but went unrewarded due to poor execution by his subordinates. Some of this was Grant's as his senior generals were exhausted after three month's hard fighting, but one wonders what would have happened if Phil Sheridan had been in command of the lead corps and taken Petersburg in July 1864. Richmond would surely have fallen, leaving the Confederacy facing into a bleak winter without Atlanta or Richmond.

Weigley rightly traces the influcence of Grant in the approach of the Americans to WWII strategy and defends Eisenhower against the charge that he had backed away from this strategy rather than give the British the lead role in the advance on Germany.

The naval counterpart to Grant was Alfred Thayer Mahan, and one of the best chapters in the book is the description of Mahan's influence on naval Pacific strategy before and during WWII.

I am now reaching the end of the book, and it badly needs a revision to take account of post-Cold War events. Hopefully, Weigley might do this - after the Gulf War and Sept 11, there would be a ready market for such a work.

Weigley is a great writer on military history - his 'Age of Battles' is about Pre-napoleonic warfare, and is possibly a better book this one. I recommedn both books.

If you were assigned this text as part of a college course, you are in luck - it might be the best thing you read all semester. Weigley has a sharp prose style, and he delves into areas of American military history that others either ignore or neglect. I found his take on the war of annihilation against the American Indians especially important, mostly because it is free of political sentimentality and simultaneously captures the human tragedy of the event. His account of the airwar against Germany and Japan is riveting and revealing. Weigley has a gift for making statistics come alive. A great and grand narrative.

There is nothing more boring than a badly written book of military history, especially when it is required reading. I have plowed through several in command & staff college, and this one is a delight. It is easy to read without being simple. I actually enjoyed the reading. After chapters of Clausewitz and Jomini and more battle diagrams than is humane, I got to this book. What a relief! Heck, I would read this book just for fun!

I have never enjoyed reading an academic war history, before. I will probably give copies of this book to selected friends. It is on my "top ten of the genre" list. Americana at its best.

"The Warlord of Mars" (1914) is the 3rd of ll John Carter novels from the pen of Edgar Rice Burroughs. It is a direct continuation of the first two in the series--"A Princess of Mars" and "The Gods of Mars"--and a reading of those earlier titles is absolutely essential before going into this one. Here, Carter tries to rescue his princess, Dejah Thoris, from the clutches of some particularly nasty villains. In his relentless pursuit, one that makes Indiana Jones look like a slacker, Carter travels from the south pole of Mars to the forbidden lands of the north. He encounters many varieties of monster, such as the apt and the sith, and gets into more fights and cliffhanging situations than a reader would believe could be packed into a mere 160 pages. The pace of the book is furious, never pausing for breath, and the final battle in the north polar city of Kadabra, in which the combined armies of Barsoomian green, red and black men attack the yellow tribes of the north, is thrilling in the extreme. What amazing films these first three John Carter novels would make, if done faithfully and with the requisite ... million thrown into each one!
So why the 3-star rating? Well, there are numerous problems with the book that prevent me from giving it top grades, despite the fun I had reading it. For one, there are countless inconsistencies and implausibilities. For example, it is difficult for the reader to accept that Carter's enemies cannot recognize him, just because he has smeared some red tint over his skin. Difficult to believe that Carter is able to scale the side of a tower in the pitch black of night. Difficult to believe that Carter (or any man) could live in a pit for nine days without food and especially water. Verrry hard to believe that Thurid, Carter's archenemy, could carry the struggling captive princess over a foot-wide ledge without toppling into the abyss beneath. Impossible to believe that Dejah Thoris couldn't recognize Carter by his voice alone, despite his yellow-man disguise. All these are hard to swallow in the extreme. As for the inconsistencies: It is stated that Carter saved Thuvia from the Warhoons in book 2, when in actuality it was Carthoris, Carter's son. The city of Kaol is said to be rendered invisible by the forest that surrounds and tops it, but later it is stated that this forest is cut back from the city. Huh? Worst of all is the aforementioned tower-scaling scene, in which dusk becomes early afternoon in a matter of minutes. Here's something that Ed Wood would have appreciated! This day/night confusion is straight out of "Plan 9," but for me is the hallmark of incredibly sloppy writing and even poorer copyediting. Further, Burroughs' descriptions of the Valley of the Therns, and its geographic proximity to the land of the First Born, are simply impossible to visualize. Throw in a bunch of misplaced modifiers and some awkward turns of phrase and you've got a real mess of a manuscript. So why did I have a tear in my eye by the book's end, when Carter gets his rewards and the entire city of Helium turns out to greet him? I guess that the power of storytelling can outweigh petty matters of consistency and grammar. And Burroughs WAS a great teller of tales, and this book IS as thrilling as they come.

The Warlord of Mars is significant to ERB fans in that it concludes his original Martian Trilogy. The story itself is a step down from the adventure that is The Gods of Mars and fails to come close to the excellence of A Princess of Mars. That being said, this is still a fun story.

Burroughs concludes his trilogy with a chase across Mars. The story picks up 6 months after The Gods of Mars. John Carter follows the kidnappers of his wife across river, desert, jungle, fortress and ice. The story itself is, as with all the Martian Trilogy, quite entertaining. However, this book cuts almost all the human interaction out that made the first two books the classics they are.

I have read this book some ten times, and I still enjoy it. As I've grown older I have discovered many Sci Fi authors and stories, but none that enrapture my imagination like the original Martian Trilogy by Edgar Rice Burroughs. This is a must read for anyone who enjoyed the first two books, as it actually has a final conclusion.

Yes, the books (all 11!) are great works, despite the quaint narrative in use at that time.

I would like to take (small) issue with the remarks of "_Vegas_" though. The first three books were indeed intended as a trilogy, and were marketed as such in the early part of the 20th cenury, in "THE ALL-STORY" magazine. The fact that the first three books cover a continuous story, with a definite conclusion in this third book, also points to it being written a true trilogy. Please do not allow yourself to be confused by the fact that 7 (or 8) more "John Carter" novels succeeded this one.

....and what I hope to be the start of a long running series.

First off I must admit that I'm not very big on the hardboiled subgenre. I do however like mysteries and police procedurals and I also like reading continuing series which feature a regular cast of characters and a returning locale.
A WITNESS ABOVE has a little bit of all the above, although this is only the first in a proposed series and that makes it foremost an introduction, or (as you can maybe call it) a 'pilot', like with a new tvshow.

I'm also glad to say that A WITNESS ABOVE is the first mystery I read in ages which didn't have me figuring out the plot (and the whodunnit) when I was only halfway through. Mister Straka wins tons of bonuspoints with that!

I'm not going to delve into the plot (you'll probably already know about that after reading the contents of this page and the other reviews). I just have to say A WITNESS ABOVE has a great set up, a really good and thought of maincharacter in Frank Pavlicek (it's written in the 'first person' narrative, like all those classic P.I novels before it) and it's an easy read which only cost me a day to get through....fun assured!

I give it fours stars because the series can only get better. I noticed A KILLING SKY, the second Pavlicek mystery, has already been released. Mister Straka can count on it that I'll be buying that one also.

I met the author when I bought the book. He seemed to be a nice guy, that's the reason I bought it. I'm glad I did. I read the book in about three days. Looking forward to the next one.

Frank Pavlicek left the NYPD under bad circumstances and set up a PI office in Virginia. He is out falconing one morning when he stumbles, almost literally, on a decomposing body. While looking around before he calls the police, he finds his daughter's phone number in the guy's wallet. But soon, his daughter has been arrested for drug possession, a charge she denies adamantly. With a local sheriff as suspicious of Frank as Frank is of him and a daughter not telling the entire truth, Frank is going to have to work fast to free her and learn the truth.

While I don't normally read PI novels, this one caught my interested because of the falconry aspect. I have no connection to the subject, but I'm always up for learning about something new in books. This story provided some interesting information about the subject without slowing down the story.

And what a great read it was. The characters are all well drawn and easy to care for, and the plot is confusing as well. I had no clue where the story was going until the end.

I will definitely be reading other books in this series. I have to know what happens next to Frank and his friends and family.