If ever there was a book that deserves accolades, this is it. And yet no amount of superlatives could express just how wonderful this book is and what it does to you. It is not so much a book about pain as a book about life. It evokes a sense of gratitude for life that will stay with you for life. How fortunate it makes you feel when you read about both the misfortune and the courage of others. And how the true meaning of life becomes apparent. Without ever telling you what to think, Dr Brand makes you think. He makes you realise that life, with all its challenges, is the great gift. There were times when reading this book that I found myself so moved emotionally that I had to stop reading, almost as if I had to take a deep breath and contemplate what I had just read. And then, slowly, I'd pick the book up again and re-read that moving passage before continuing on. This book is a journey more than a read. It is a journey you will never forget. Please buy it.

As a physical therapy educator in a Masters program I use this book as a central theme in my class. As a PT in neurological rehabilitation I apply this perspective daily in communicating with the people I serve. The "philosphy" that Dr. Brand, through Philip Yancey's always excellent writing, explains and demonstrates is incredibly applicable to each one who reads the book. Any health professional who deals with patients in pain NEEDS to read this book. It provides a perspective of encouragement, of connection to the "gift of pain", and of understanding that although "pain is unavoidable, misery is optional" (Tim Hansel). Most importantly, this book is written with a deep compassion for a person's "holistic" suffering in mind, spirt, and body. It is an inspirational book that will touch your soul. A #1 necessary read!

I learned about Paul Brand's work through "Soul Survivor" by Philip Yancey. I have always loved Yancey's work, and he described how Brand had greatly influenced Yancey as a young man, showing him a true picture of servanthood and love in the mold of Jesus. I ordered "The Gift of Pain" to learn more about Brand and I was not disappointed. Brand describes his childhood as a missionary kid in India, and as a young medical student in WWII England. The book is autobiographical, but more than that, because it weaves in some of Brand's spiritual revelations as well. As the title suggests, much of this book is devoted to the issue of pain. Although we try and avoid pain as much as possible, Brand came to welcome pain as a gift from God. It warns us when we are endangering ourselves, putting the members of our bodies in situations that could be harmful. Leprosy, Brand discovered, is not a disease that rots flesh, but instead dulls nerves. The damaged bodies of lepers are a result of self-inflicted injuries (i.e., stepping on nails, touching something too hot) not from leprosy itself. There are so many lessons to be learned about how we view pain in this book. Also... there is an interesting afterword that compares AIDS as the modern day leprosy.... very interesting.

Note: This review refers to an additional book, "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made" by the same author that I consider a "companion" to this one.

In both these books the authors take us into the world of medicine as seen through spiritual eyes. The parallels between our own bodies and the Body of Christ are fascinating to say the least. Read, for example, how when one area of our physical body is injured an urgent call goes out and hundreds of thousands of cells respond by plugging the holes in the walls, protecting the weak, cleansing the area and rebuilding itself. Read also how the body responds when there is rebellion loose within it. The list includes the workings of: (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made) cells, bones, skin, motion, (In His Image) image, blood, head, spirit and pain.

The reading style is very relaxed and everything is explained simply so that you don't need a degree in chemistry to understand what's going on. A special bonus is Dr. Brand's focus on his life's work with lepers which is interwoven throughout both books. If you've got an interest in how the physical body works and how it relates to biblical concepts, get these books - you won't be disappointed. -- Moza

Paul Brand succeeds in getting the reader to more clearly understand the spiritual metaphor of the Body of Christ--the church. His illumination of the design and function of our body's organs, features, and specialized intricacies both inspire awe in the body as the work of a masterful Creator and bring new meaning to Biblical concepts, such as blood, breath, head, and suffering.

I have enjoyed reading and re-reading this book over the last decade. As a surgeon, I can appreciate Dr. Brand's sense of wonder for the human body, and as a Christian, I appreciate the parallels Brand and Yancey have drawn between the human body and the body of Christ. I enthusiastically recommend this book (and its companion volume FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE).

This is a very well written book on advertising. It is nice for a change to have heard of the authors! Usually when I read a review in another publication, such as Adweek, I am curious about the book but never buy it-this time I went ahead and bought it and I am most pleased. I am looking even more forward to the publisher's book entitled Inside the Minds: Leading Marketers - with the Chief Marketing Officers from Coke, GE, FedEx, American Express and other big names. It will be a very interesting contrast to the advertising side of the business.

This book is a must read for every advertiser-fantastic insight into the future of the advertising world. Adweek was right-this is a must read.

I have read close to 50 books on advertising throughout my career and this was by far the most innovative and thought provoking book I have read to date. I especially liked the chapter by Tim Love at Saatchi & Saatchi-but the entire book is full of insightful thoughts on where the future of the advertising industry is going. This is THE book to read if you are in the advertising, marketing or public relations industries.

This book worked so well for me, I'm being presented at the International Coach Federation conference as an example of branding! I also brand clients on the Internet, and found this book tremendously helpful. It gave me theory, but also vocabulary for explaining complex concepts to clients -- as to why I insisted on this or that for their websites, email responses, etc. For instance, Mr. Temporal asked research participants to rate personalities of two companies with Internet presences. He found that consumers preferred to buy from the company that appeared "easy going, modest, helpful, caring, approachable, and interested," rather than those that appeared "sophisticated, arrogant, efficient, self-centered, distant and disinterested." And, not surprisingly, the latter company was ahead in the competition. It helped me resolve those efficiency-care issues we face. If you're serious about having a branded presence on the Internet, I'd take a look at this book if I were you.

This book presents easy-to-understand theories with eye-opening examples. It provides food for thoughts to those who are serious about developing brands. After reading it, you will understand why Philip Kotler described it as one of the best books on brand management.

Through Phillip Yancey, Dr. Brand relates the most amazing comparisons of the human body and the body of Christ. I have read all four of their co-authored books over and over. And, after reading any of the books they have written together you will better understand your relationship with Jesus Christ.
One of my favorite stories out of this book was about a doctor in a POW camp in WWII. This prison was in the middle of a filthy steaming swamp and many of the POWs were dying from severe disentery. As, the doctor looked around the filthy place he just knew if he had clean water to give these men, he could save their lives. He looks up into the coconut trees all around them and remembers that the water inside of unripe coconuts is 100% clean and pure. So his team fashions make shift IV's out of the coconuts and the clean water from coconuts grown in a filty cesspool of a swamp, saves the lives of dozens of men. This shows that even though we live in a world that is sometimes filthy and corrupt, through the filter of the Holy Spirit we can have purity in us to pass to the dying souls around us.
There are many other wonderful comparisonsare in this book.
I also highly recommend the other books by these two great men..."In His Image", "Fearfully And Wonderfully Made" and, "The Gift of Pain".
I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have.

Dr. Paul Brand, co-author with Philip Yancey of Fearfully & Wonderfully Made and In His Image, has written a very down-to-earth book that explores the analogy between physical and spiritual hunger. In 18 chapters and 220 pages, the veteran missionary surgeon shares his thoughts on how we satisfy our bodies and souls with nourishment. Sprinkled with quotes, drawings, and anecdotes, this lively book takes a gently exhortative approach to spiritual growth, stimulating the reader to ponder and act upon the need for maturation of the soul.

No matter which industries you're competing. Branding is one of the most important to substain your business. Nowadays, products and services become homogenous goods in the eyes of customers. Only branding can differentiate in the pool of keen competition. This book studies and analyzes how hi-tech companies can build their brands, positioning, and strategies.
The most useful part in the book is it can instruct you to build Internet Brand with ample cases illustrated.

This book is a must for those who wanna become the winner by brand building in the industry.

A Marketer's guide to the fundamentals of branding in this digital age. This intriguing book tells us how to build brands by thinking ahead .... but on a realistic scale. A must for marketing souls.

Doctor Blanshard has been criticized for not being a very original thinker. Whatever one thinks about original thought, one must admire a philosopher who expends the effort necessary to be understood and never hides in obscurity. Blanshard wrote a book 'On philosophical Style' and a better example of excellence in writing style cannot be found than this book edited by Paul Arthur Schilpp. As a student of philosophy I always found it difficult to locate material that could present philosophy alive and allow one to study it as though taking part in the ideas. As each philosopher presents Blanshard with his/her criticism, one finds oneself actively participating in the cut and thrust of ideas as Blanshard responds at the end of each essay. Only the dialogues of Plato rival this work in providing the reader with the impression that he/she is present as great minds exchange ideas. The professional and amateur will long treasure this fine example of philosophical debate. END

Brand Blanshard, easily the twentieth century's sturdiest defender of reason, rationality and the "rational temper," exemplified that temper in every line of his graceful prose. His solid defenses of e.g. the nature of mind as seeking and striving after ends, the end of thought as systematic understanding, the coherence theory of truth, the objective existence of necessary logical and causal connections, the universe as a strongly coherent logical and causal whole in which every fact entails and is entailed by every other, the meaning of "goodness" as the objective fulfillment of human ends accompanied by the taking of satisfaction in that fulfillment -- his defenses of these views and others won the admiration of friends and critics alike, both for the thoroughness of his approach and for the generosity with which he treated opposing positions. In this volume he exchanges essays with many of those friends and critics, providing yet again not only a defense of his views but an admirable example of how to conduct oneself in philosophical controversy. In a departure from the practice followed in the other volumes in this series, Blanshard replies to each critical essay individually rather than in one long reply at the volume's end. The effect is that the book reads like an extended philosophical conversation, in which Blanshard deals personally and closely with each thinker in turn. His replies also indicate where his thought had grown and developed since the publication of _The Nature of Thought_ in the 1930s, thereby continuing his thought along the lines laid down in _Reason and Analysis_, _Reason and Goodness_, and Reason and Belief_. The essays and replies are arranged topically, covering the full range of Blanshard's rationalist philosophy. And an introductory autobiographical essay provides a delightfully personal introduction to the man himself. No student of Blanshard can afford to miss this thorough and thoroughly engaging volume.

This is a brand and marketing strategy book I must highly reccommend- especially for professionals in the field (even with the odd spelling mistake). Really detailed, expert analysis and unique insight- the "real thing" in a world that is full of "pretend experts". This guy knows his stuff- big time. Many ideas are new and jump at the reader, and are backed up by real case study examples. This book makes any Marketer and Brander think a lot and opens some new ground- it is also one of the most thorough books on the subject I have read (every aspect of strategic Brand Building is covered and carefully "woven" into his argument). I use it as a professional's guide to look at when I'm stuck- a great strategist's reference and no doubt for me a book that has opened up new doors in strategic brand building and marketing thinking. Don't share with the competition!!!

I highly recommend all of Dr. Brand's and Yancey's collaborative efforts. This one is fairly short and readable and the emphasis here is on the intricate workings of the human body, and what it suggests to us about how the Body of Christ works or should work. Just the chapter on the properties of bone is fascinating enough to warrant reading this book. The gift of movement, or the protection of our skin, is something we most likely take for granted. Dr. Brand will rob us of that conceit! He also gives examples from his groundbreaking work in treating leprosy to show just how precious a healthy body can be. The real message, however, is that God's design for his church is not accidental- just like a working body, it is intricate beauty, strength, and order in dynamic motion!

Note: This review refers to an additional book, "In His Image" by the same author that I consider a "companion" to this one.

In both these books the authors take us into the world of medicine as seen through spiritual eyes. The parallels between our own bodies and the Body of Christ are fascinating to say the least. Read, for example, how when one area of our physical body is injured an urgent call goes out and hundreds of thousands of cells respond by plugging the holes in the walls, protecting the weak, cleansing the area and rebuilding itself. Read also how the body responds when there is rebellion loose within it. The list includes the workings of: (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made) cells, bones, skin, motion, (In His Image) image, blood, head, spirit and pain.

The reading style is very relaxed and everything is explained simply so that you don't need a degree in chemistry to understand what's going on. A special bonus is Dr. Brand's focus on his life's work with lepers which is interwoven throughout both books. If you've got an interest in how the physical body works and how it relates to biblical concepts, get these books - you won't be disappointed. -- Moza

If you're like me, you have occasionally wondered at the human body. You might have marveled at the birth of a newborn, or wondered how in the world all of your parts work together so well. I am NOT a biology person. I took one course of biology in high school, and that was plenty for me. But this book is *fascinating*. It tells you things about yourself that you would have never guessed. It makes an amazing case for a Creator who uses a specific design in human beings. It makes the case so well that I was overwhelmed at times, gasped, and told whoever happened to be in the room what I had just read.

This book will make you much more confident in your belief in a Creator. It will give you amazing real-life facts that back up the Biblical ones. I have not been the same since reading this book several years ago. I still remember the impact it made on me, and I can still share with others fervently that there is design here. And the design cannot be argued. If you think it can be, read this book.

Few Asian companies have been successful in developing international brands. It is now a sophisticated process that puts together and sustains a complex mixture of local and international attributes and values , something that is tangible.Its interesting how Temporal have chosen the different products ( over 20 )from leading Asian and Western brands to show good examples of how companies have used the fundamentals of branding to achieve global success. He has provided illustrative examples, techniques , exercises and invaluable advice for any company in Asia regardless of size that strives for more than being just another local household name.

One of the ways to achieve sustainable growth in any market is a recognisable brand name. While many Western companies have successfully developed international brands, Asian companies have been slow to follow suit. How is it that Asia, a region that has such high brand appreciation, produces so few international brands of its own?

In this groundbreaking book, Asia's leading brand architect addresses this unusual situation, explains the fundamentals of branding and shows how companies can use them to achieve outstanding performance. Containing over 20 case studies of leading Asian and Western brands, this book is packed with illustrative examples, advice and exercises.

Branding in Asia is an invaluable book that is a must for anyone responsible for business growth in the 21st century.

Dr Paul Temporal is Asia's leading expert on brand creation, development and management, having lived in the region for over 14 years. He has worked with leading companies and governments, and is well known his results-oriented and hands-on approach. He is the author of Corporate Charisma.

My expectations were mainly about redressing the balance on geographical origins of brand case studies. Our literature suffers from being far too US centric. This imbalance is unfortunate for several reasons including: - living in the US for the last 2 years has taught me how atypical the US consumer is of any other I have met in 25 countries that I have worked - from the oldest brand models (which assumed brands were advertising led) to the newest ebrand models, there's huge share of voice reflecting the culture of corporate America and the case theories of its business schools. These powerful systems shouldn't be unquestioningly exported as being de facto paradigms for local organisational excellence or social value.

My expectations were exceeded because this book - unlike most on the brand which start with chapters on advertising and marketing communications - opens up from the very beginning on the leadership importance of branding. Here we are on pages 1-2: "Strong brands endure many challenges. This is becoming increasingly relevant in an era of unprecedented change, upheaval and uncertainty. This change is strategic, unlike the incremental change of more predictable times, and therefore requires a strategic response. Brand building is exactly such a response. If successful, it can be the strongest weapon in a company's armory and the best guarantee of corporate survival. The challenge that lies ahead is that of change management.

And by page 4, we're invited to join in a cataloguing of worldwide changes to marketing: -the breakdown of market boundaries -globalization and the development of global brands -increasing market fragmentation -product diversity and shorter life cycles -greater customer sophistication -digital business -economic instability and market volatility

So this book flies, and yet at the same time when you read it you will continually pick up useful advice whether your brain is looking for practical or academic stimulation. For example, the book closes with an appendix of very worthwhile brand exercises, and it resonates with case studies, 24 in all. Each case study ends with a summary of that brand's strengths.

This book will be good for you whether this is the first one you read on branding, or as in my case the twenty first, including two of my own. For example, I learnt a lot from Temporal's consistently strong advice on brand values and the way they shape corporate personality on its outside and inside.