For anyone who ever feels a little insecure in restaurants, this book tells you how to get the best treatment, how to order, foriegn menu terms translated, behind the scenes stuff and special sections for business dinners, prom nights, anniversaries and more. Really helpful.

Wow! Everything you ever wanted to know about dining out - a simple way to get the edge on dining out with style.

The book 'Discover Yourself' is an elaboration of the previous truths that the author has presented to us. He starts of by explaining God and the beginning of religion. Further on, he gives new light to the prayer 'Our Father' that Jesus taught. He also provides wonderful insights to the Sermon on the Mount, by Jesus. He calls them 'The Seven Beatitudes' which I think is aptly named.

He again touches on the subject of Yoga and meditation and how to attain it. This is explained extremely well in his two earlier books 'The Secret Path' and 'The Quest of the Overself'. The author also compares the differences between monks & hermits who flee the world into forests and monasteries versus those who try to find God while facing the material world. Not only is the latter method preferable and realistic, it also builds for stronger self-control and self-discipline.

Three chapters are devoted to the 'Bhagavad-Gita', the Hindus gospel. I find his explanations of the Gita to be very much in line with the teachings of Jesus. Interestingly, the author also warns about the attainment of spiritual powers like healing and performing miracles, which are manifestations of a lower plane. I was initially shocked, since that has been my aspiration. I realize differently now.

The final chapters discuss 'The Gospel according to St. John' which is very enlightening. In 'The Mystery of Jesus' chapter, I find some conflict with the 'The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ' by Levi.

In conclusion, another great book by Brunton.

Lucid and authoritative exposition of inner Reality by an enlightened mystic - sure to explode the Real in our Being's rhythm. A 'must'for lovers of wisdom.

Tim Fabrizio and George Paul's 1996 book, "The Talking Machine - an Illustrated Compendium," ranks as the finest book ever written on the history of the phonograph. Lavishly illustrated, it is both authoritative and eminently readable. It is hard to imagine anyone, even the authors, improving upon this work, however they have done exactly that with "Discovering Antique Phonographs." What is so remarkable about this achievement is that this new book serves as a rich sequel to their first, yet stands independently as a superb work on its own. It is not surprising that Fabrizio and Paul were able to come up with hundreds more historic and fascinating phonographs to picture in the new book. What is surprising, however, is that this new volume, like their first, includes a very comprehensive history of sound recording. Amazingly, the authors cover the same historic ground as they did in their first work without being repetitious or redundant. They approach the same story from a whole new perspective, so that while both books are complete and authoritative on their own they are superbly complementary. Although the text is engagingly written, most readers will probably be seduced by the stunning photography and extremely detailed captions. The selection of rare phonographs illustrated in large color pictures is stunning, yet every one tells a story or makes a point -- nothing is an extraneous throwaway just for cheap thrills. Like the first book, "Discovering Antique Phonographs" can be read from cover to cover as a serious work of history, or opened to any page and savored in random doses. In fact, the amount of information to be found in the captions makes the text, wonderful as it is, almost superfluous! These captions offer a vast amount of detail, which these skilled writers bring to life with charm and wonder. Like its predecessor "The Taking Machine," "Discovering Antique Phonographs" is a bargain and a must for anyone interested in the history of the phonograph.

Tim Fabrizio and George Paul's 1996 book, "The Talking Machine - an Illustrated Compendium," ranks as the finest book ever written on the history of the phonograph. Lavishly illustrated, it is both authoritative and eminently readable. It is hard to imagine anyone, even the authors, improving upon this work, however they have done exactly that with "Discovering Antique Phonographs." What is so remarkable about this achievement is that this new book serves as a rich sequel to their first, yet stands independently as a superb work on its own. It is not surprising that Fabrizio and Paul were able to come up with hundreds more historic and fascinating phonographs to picture in the new book. What is surprising, however, is that this new volume, like their first, includes a very comprehensive history of sound recording. Amazingly, the authors cover the same historic ground as they did in their first work without being repetitious or redundant. They approach the same story from a whole new perspective, so that while both books are complete and authoritative on their own they are superbly complementary. Although the text is engagingly written, most readers will probably be seduced by the stunning photography and extremely detailed captions. The selection of rare phonographs illustrated in large color pictures is stunning, yet every one tells a story or makes a point -- nothing is an extraneous throwaway just for cheap thrills. Like the first book, "Discovering Antique Phonographs" can be read from cover to cover as a serious work of history, or opened to any page and savored in random doses. In fact, the amount of information to be found in the captions makes the text, wonderful as it is, almost superfluous! These captions offer a vast amount of detail, which these skilled writers bring to life with charm and wonder. Like its predecessor "The Taking Machine," "Discovering Antique Phonographs" is a bargain and a must for anyone interested in the history of the phonograph.

The discworld diary and yearbook (actually more of a yearly planner, with special 10-15 page introduction to the guild its representing)range from 1998-2003; this being the 2001 edition. It comes with a pretty ribbon book marker, and lots of quotes and fun facts about the guild. And don't forget those great Paul Kidby illustrations. If you like this one, you can get the 2002 and 2003 discworld diaries off of the Amazon UK website, along with other Terry Pratchett goods they don't offer here. The diaries go in order of 1998 Unseen University Yearbook, 1999 Ank-Morpork City Watch Yearbook (I really love the drawings of Sam Vimes a true coper's face!), 2000 Assassins Guild Yearbook, 2001 Fool's Guild Yearbook, 2002 Thieves' Guild Yearbook and 2003 Vampires Yearbook (sort of a vampires Alnon). What is really enjoyable about each yearbook is that they have an introduction from the head of the Guild, such as this one from Mr. Whiteface pictured on the cover. Surprise a freind who likes Terry Pratchett; these are the perfect stocking stuffers and so rare and unsual (like the Discworld music CD, or 4 video games) that they are really worth it! May you live in Intresting Times.

The discworld yearly diaries are a lot of fun for the discworld fans and this diary is no exception. The pathetic nature of the fool's existence becomes understandable when your discover the "other" portion of a fools duties. (See Court Jesters)

The illustrations are at the same high standard and I love these explorations into the minutia of the various guilds.

Always buy these as they become available, cause when they are gone, they are gone.

I like Stacy,the main character, because she is nice.I learned that it would be hard if third grade lasted forever. This book reminded me of the book "The Man Who Loved Clowns". Stacy was a lot like the sister in "The Man Who Loved Clowns".

its about a girl named Tracy who's having a troubled life.it has sad times, happy times.put this your "must buy list!".teacers: third graders will love it!! I know,because Iam in third grade too!!!

Our younger daughter picked this one above all for one of us to read aloud to her first grade class. The silly verse("There once was a dog who was a bit of a clot, he'd buried his bone and forgotten the spot") and the outrageously detailed Korky Paul illustrations are a delight (somewhat like those of Steven Kellogg, kids find something new every reading). A subterranean search by the persistent pup leads through a labyrinth of obstacles with pesky cats at every turn. Highly recommended.

Very silly illustrations of the dog that keeps pulling out even more outrageous things from the ground. There are extra details in Korky Paul's illustrations that keep you looking at the pictures over and over again. Of all Korky Paul's books I think this is my favorite.

Doing Business with Kuwait is almost an encyclopedia about Kuwait. I wonder if Mr. Kennedy has missed anything about Kuwait. It is a remarkable work as the book talks about the history, politics, economy, and society of Kuwait. It also provides detailed information about religion, weather, demography, and many more topics.

The book contains magnificent data represented in many charts. In addition, the "Visitor Tips" sections are most useful and helpful for foreign visitors to Kuwait, whether the purpose of the visit is business, leisure, or work.

Therefore, if that part of the world, particularly Kuwait, is of an interest to you, this book is of a great great value.

Doing Business with Kuwait is a wide-ranging comprehensive look at how businesspersons from the West and East need to modifify their approach to business in order to be successful in the Kuwaiti environment. A brief skim through this book shows that business rules and practices in Kuwait are in fact very different than they are in the USA and the rest of the world. Indeed, as a successful businessperson operating in Kuwait, I can agree wholeheartedly with the general thrust of Mr Kennedy's book, which accords with my own business experience in Kuwait. I only wish that I had it to hand when I was starting business in Kuwait myself several years ago. Doing Business with Kuwait is logically divided into seven neat sections. These cover the country, the economy, business laws, taxation, finance&industry,the market place, and behavioural aspects. Whether it is background infomation on country, a detailed look at rules and regulations, or tips and hints on how to be successful in the Kuwait market place, it is all to be found in Doing Business with Kuwait. The book puts into words things about Kuwait that I had learned intuitively over the years. One of the striking things about Doing Business with Kuwait is how its wealth of information is presented. The individual chapters are written in a simple flowing style that is a joy to read and in which the exposition opens out gradully and very understandably. But best of all, the text is intrespersed here and there with boxes cintaining advice on how to do certain things and warnings of potential pitfalls. A really great way to present the essentials. In conclusion, I can only heartily recopmmend Doing Business with Kuwait to anyone, whether an executive of an international corporation or a small time entrepreneur like myself, cosidering taking a chance in the Kuwaiti market which, belive me, is not for the faint-hearted. I only hope that this book will be recognised for what it is, the bible on doing business in Kuwait.

Paul Dosal wrote this book as an extension of his doctoral thesis. In doing so, he has retained the focus on the relationship between the banana giant, United Fruit Company, and the so-called Liberal regimes in Guatemala from before the turn of the 20th century to the intellectuals and workers revolution of 1944. It has the usual indicia of a scholarly work, but it is well-written and easily comprehended by the general reader. Professor Dosal brings a certain amount of passion to his work, and he clearly views the main characters as greedy and criminal, but he generally sticks to the facts and delivers them in an orderly fashion.

Guatemala was only one of several Latin American and Caribbean countries where the United Fruit Company harvested or procured bananas, and it hardly has been one of the biggest-generally accounting for about six percent of world production. Yet it was the ability of Minor Keith, Victor Cutter, and Sam Zemurray to obtain favorable arrangements from the Guatemalan strongmen, particularly Manuel Estrada Cabrera (1898-1920) and Jorge Ubico (1929-44), that allowed United Fruit to forge a unique level of near-total economic control over the entire country and its development. Not only did United Fruit develop a monopoly in the production and marketing of Guatemalan bananas, but it also controlled the country's railroads and primary port. Its contracts allowed it to operate on its property without government regulation and with very little obligation to pay taxes. It also exercised nearly complete control over Guatemala's import and export trade, including the trade of coffee, even though it was neither a producer or marketer of this other primary export commodity.

Dosal does not go out of his way to claim or prove bribes and kickbacks to government officials for these favorable arrangements. He doesn't have to, as the facts speak for themselves. Anyway, his primary indictment of the "caudillos" is that they betrayed the interests of their own people for the benefit of foreign investors to an extent far beyond any return their country and its people received. In defense of Minor Keith and his investors, Guatemala's government had attempted to develop a national railroad without success because of lack of capital, and Keith provided the expertise and capital to get the railroad and the port built. Similarly, some of the later steps taken by United Fruit that resulted in greater economic control were done after Guatemalan authorities had been unable to accomplish their economic goals by other means, but the complicity of the dictators in United Fruit's plans resulted in increasingly one-sided bargains. Professor Dosal contrasts the similar development in Costa Rica, in which democratic regimes made bargains with United Fruit that over the years were much more even-handed. Dosal's main point, well-documented in this book, is that but for the existence of dictatorial regimes in Guatemala over the 45 years, the role of United Fruit Company in Guatemala's development would have been quite different. He writes:

"While Guatemalan dictators had conditioned the development of United Fruit, American diplomats and capitalists had deluded themselves into thinking that they shaped Guatemala's destiny. The country's most brutal dictator sanctioned the concession that allowed Keith to monopolize railways, and the limited democratic opening of the 1920s blocked his efforts to extend his influence to Guatemalan financing. Without timely assistance from Guatemala's corrupt and authoritarian rulers, Keith and United would have found it much more difficult to extract liberal concessions from the government, eliminate competitors, and suppress challenges to its authority." (pp. 112-13).

"Doing Business" covers some of the behind the scenes maneuvering and personality conflicts typical of early 20th century Central American republics. It sheds light on the motivation of the men behind the UFC and the railroads in detail not usually seen in books delaing with this subject. Too many other books have been written about Central American politics, especially with regard to the United Fruit Company, which focus solely on classical political analysis. This work must be used when studying this era in Central American history, to gain a full picture of the events. It would be nice to see more research like that of "Doing Business", political inclinations aside.

CEOs and Board members, don't be fooled. This book is NOT just for donors - it's for YOU!

Here's the way I figure it: If a book advises donors on what to look for when "investing" in a NonProfit, doesn't it make sense that NonProfits use that same book to help make their organization worth investing in?

NonProfit leaders should think of this book as one of those magazine cover stories that says "What Men Should Look for in a Woman" (or vice versa!). As a woman, I'd sure want to know what men are being advised to look for! And as NonProfits seeking donors, we should all want to know what those donors are being advised to look for in a worthy NonProfit. That's why this book is such a valuable tool.

In my NonProfit consulting work, I've used the fundraising and marketing insights from Ms. Rafferty's chapters on donor motivation when creating marketing plans, because it forces a NonProfit to think like a donor. And the chapters on performing due diligence ("Ten Warning Signs: Where to Look for the Bodies") are a GREAT checklist for ensuring your organization's ducks are in a row.

Being a NonProfit author myself, my favorite compliment is when a reader says their copy of the book is all marked up - that the pages are dog-eared and the spine cracked from use. Well, my copy of Ms. Rafferty's book is not only yellow from highlighting, but the book automatically opens to the sections I love.

So do your NonProfit a favor - don't be fooled into thinking this book is only for donors. Buy it, incorporate its messages into your marketing and fund development efforts, and watch your organization flourish.

Most of us in this audience have spent years (and some, decades) on the inside of one nonprofit organization or another, wondering, "How can our organization attract more (or even more) charitable donations?"

We've established annual fund drives, grant-seeking programs, fielded special events, and maybe even launched planned giving programs. Some of us are in one stage or other of a capital campaign on the way toward meeting our six-, seven-, eight-, or even nine-figure goals.

Collectively, we've done a fantastic job. In 1997 alone, Americans gave us $143 billion, most of that in the form of direct gifts or bequests. We expend nearly $500 billion per year, control more than $800 billion in assets, employ nearly 11 percent of the American workforce, represent nearly eight percent of the American gross domestic product, and constitute 20 percent of the American service economy.

The money flows. Donors more or less leave us alone to spend it as we see fit and as long as we don't break some law or line our own pockets, things hum along nicely. As those of us who have been on the inside know, there is typically little or no investigation by most donors prior to the gift, much less once the gift has been made.

From our vantage point - on the inside looking out - all is well with the world. Few donors would think to ask hard questions before making a donation, much less to follow up on a donation to see that we've been wise stewards of it. That is why Renata J. Rafferty's new book, Don't Just Give It Away, How to Make the Most of Your Charitable Giving, is so startling. Written not by an outsider with an axe to grind, but by one of us, Rafferty turns things on their head by asking the public, "does it seem that $143 billion of 'social progress' was achieved through the activities of the charitable sector? How much of that $143 billion did you and your family contribute, and do you believe it was used as wisely as it could have been?"

Rafferty contends that while, in her more than 20 years in the charitable arena, she has "witnessed the integrity and industry of the men and women . . . who commit their lives - professionally and or as volunteers - to make this world a better place for all of us," she has also seen "waste and poor financial management that substantially eroded the value" of contributions. . . ."

"Like a leaking faucet that accumulates in wasted gallons," writes Rafferty, "minor misuses of each of our charitable investments add up. In fact, they amount to huge amounts of donated money annually that could have - and should have - been applied to programs and services for the community . . . but weren't. And that's why we don't see $143 billion worth of progress from our contributions."

Notice the shift by Rafferty from the industry insiders' perspective to that of the donors'? This is an insider breaking ranks, throwing open the door to the closet, and shining a bright light on, well, if not "skeletons," the family's closely-guarded secrets.

Every once in a while a book comes along which, though written with down-to-earth clarity and simplicity, carries within its covers a clarion call to reverse the flow of power and unsettle the status quo in an entire facet of society. This is that book.

Don't Just Give It Away teaches donors to conduct their giving "as thoughtfully and insightfully - and personally - as (they) approach . . . financial investing." She walks the reader through the process of defining philanthropic goals, finding a charity that fits those goals, performing due diligence on that charity, and tracking what the charity does with the gift after it's been given.

My favorite chapter - and one that poorly-run nonprofit organizations would do well to keep out of the hands of donors - is Chapter 9's "Ten Warning Signs: Where to Look for 'The Bodies.'" A sampling:

--You are discouraged or barred from a site visit or board meeting;

--Financial records are unavailable, unintelligible, or generally in disarray;

--There is no written strategic or business plan for the organization;

--Fewer than 70% of the board members have made a financial contribution to the organization within the last twelve months;

--And more.

It's occurred to me that one sign of a healthy organization is its enthusiasm in providing Rafferty's book to prospective and existing donors. An organization that is well managed and healthy will have nothing to fear, and perhaps much to gain, in educating its donors about such things. Indeed, arming donors with this kind of information - as simple as providing them a copy of this book - is one way to strengthen our nonprofit sector.

One thing the book is not is a "technique" book. Rafferty makes it clear she is not instructing donors on "how" to structure a gift - that's what attorneys and other advisors are for, she says - but on how to ensure that giving is done with maximum impact. I can imagine one pitfall is locating advisors who will understand, and add value to, the process described by Rafferty. The book is concise enough, though, that a donor might wish to provide a copy to any advisor assisting in the gift-making process.

Not surprisingly, Don't Just Give It Away has already attracted quite a few fans, including Paul Newman who, in the book's Foreword, writes: "I wish Don't Just Give It Away had been written years earlier - I could have used it. I'm delighted that it's here now and that I can share this book with friends, family, and colleagues who are searching for their own ways - more personal ways - to make this world a better place through wiser charitable giving." Newman should know. To date, his company, Newman's Own, has contributed over $100 million to charities worldwide from after-tax profits.