I have just returned from seeing Steve Lehman's exhibition of photographs from Tibet at the Newseum/NY- PLEASE GO SEE THIS SHOW IF YOU CAN!!! I stood before some of the most touching and moving color, black and white photographs and collages with tears running down my face at the inhumanity and humanity of the disgusting situation in Tibet. How can the United States and other so-called free nations stand back and allow this foul occupation continue to take place? Not only is the culture, religion, architecture, forests, etc. of Tibet being decimated but MOST IMPORTANTLY her people are being mass murdered, tortured and ignored by the "powers that be." (The setting of the show was wonderful also with thankgas, prayer wheels and other Tibetan objects. It was also incredible to be surrounded by all the photographs in one fell swoop.) I was particularly struck by the personal, hand-written descriptions on the photographs which made them even more immediate. One could really feel for the peaceful protestors who were subsequently imprisoned and tortured. I searched their faces and was mesmerized and thought about what each person's life was like now. Even if you cannot stand before the pictures, be surrounded by the injustice of it all, do obtain the book and see for yourself. This is photo-journalism at its finest and most poignant.Mr. Lehman's photographs give ample illustration that more needs to be done to help the Tibetans and now!

When deadly riots broke out in Tibet, Steve Lehman captured that terror in his outstanding photographs. Lehman continues to chronicle the Tibetans' courageous struggle for human rights, and his work is a major contribution to understanding the Tibetan story. -Congressman Tom Lantos Co-Chairman, Congressional Human Rights Caucus

THE TIBETANS is a beautiful portrayal of a courageous, earthy, and spiritual people struggling for survival under the tremendous burden of late twentieth-century colonialism. It is a must read for those who want to understand their planet. -Robert A.F. Thurman President, Tibet House

I am constantly amazed at the number of Christians I meet who have never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This little book could go a long way toward remedying that situation. Although much of Bonhoeffer's work is difficult to understand, this helpful little volume selects from the among the best and clearest of his writings. In a day when so many Christians are happy to limit their reading to only the lightest of reads, this little book could do a lot to help them to the so-called "next level." The book would be a great volume for discussion groups interested in exploring Bonhoeffer's thought.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a martyr,saint theologian, writer and witness. His writings, from which these exerpts have been gleaned, can be dense filled with obtuse terminology,and somewaht dry. These exerpts are clear, straightfoward, and life affirmimng[as all good theology should be]Bonhoeffer has become celebrated for his concept,developing during his final days, of a churchless Christianity. That controversy is not going to bed quite yet, though I think it ignores the basic fact that He was a practising churchman, very involved in the scarements and in developing future pastors at Finkenwalde...Either way, this is an excellent introduction to Bonhoeffer, from Coles introduction to the exerpts of all his major works{Life together,Ethics, Christ the Center, The Cost of Discipleship and Letters and papers from prison} this is the best introduction to the seminal churman of his time, and one of the greatest men of the past century.

...I have been nervous about Bonhoeffer's work until I picked up this slim volume. Although it is meant to be read day by day, I finished it in under two hours. Bonhoeffer was so uplifting, despite his final days, and this book perfectly takes his thoughts and compresses them into enough snippets that make you want to read more. I am a curious layperson who strongly recommends this little book with big ideas.

I read this book after receiving it at a conference that Lenka Peterson spoke at. In reading the book, I realized that she had put most of the information covered in an 8-hour session plus enough to fill another week of 8-hour sessions. The book truly takes actions and in-person teaching lessons and makes them readily available to anyone anywhere.

In this wonderful new book, Lenka Peterson and Dan O'Connor draw on more that 30 years of experience to reveal how to teach and direct plays with children. Their sophisticated yet accessible guide covers everything form the basics of acting to mounting and staging a production. It includes plenty of child-friendly sample scenes and relaxation techniques for kids. Perfect for established children's theater groups as well as churches, schools and camps, Kids Take the Stage shows how we can help kids realize their creative potential...and, in the process, create a new generation of theater lovers.

This is a magical book, full of exercises and anecdotes that teach children to celebrate what they have to offer as potential artists, but mainly as human beings. I recommend it to anyone who wants to introduce children to acting and the theater. It is joyful, rewarding, wise and a lot of fun to read. Bravo/Brava!

This book is the result of Sills' consuming photographic affair with a rural family in Georgia. After thousands of photographs we see this basic American Southern family grow and develop before our eyes. Sills' eyes and camera allow us to discover beauty where others may see ... trash and dirt. Tina Toole develops into a Frida Kahloesque sort of chameleon-like woman, often pretty, sometimes tough, but always mesmerizing. This is one of those books that every photographic aficionado should buy.

This book won the 2000 Southern Books Competition Award of Excellence in Book Design from the Southeastern Library Association. This award is given in recognition of the book's aesthetic appeal and design and for fine craftsmanship in its printing and binding. Congratulations to author Vaughn Sills, designer Kyong Choe, printer C & C Offset, and the University of Georgia Press.

Vaughn Sills' One Family has done something, but done it very sublty; by focusing for twenty years on photographing the Toole family from Georgia, Sills has managed to photograph many families, represented by this proud and tenacious family whose corner of world happens to be the American South. You could easily call this a book "a photgraphy book looking at the rural south"; and it is, the dialogue and writings in the book sometimes show that Southern vernacular; the scenery sometimes seems typically "Southern"; but to stop there at "Southern" as a despricition is missing the larger picture. To stop there would be to miss the wonderful, wide, world of people in every day life, engaged in just simply living. The writing included in the book is revealing, personal and touching, Some of it is dialogue with family members and some is poetry by Tina Toole Truelove. These words and feelings are what help tie the book to the world at large because we see that, even in the South, people feel a certain way, have certain experiences. Yes, this book would be a great source for a vew on a part of the American South,but don't stop there on your journey with this beautifully photographed book. I treasure mine and treasure the truths I see in their faces.

From the beginning I might as well say that I also was once diagnosed as a schizophrenic, even for a few days as a paranoid schizophrenic, and so the subject of this particular book strikes close to my heart, although I must add that I never had the experience of hearing voices. This book is an absolutely realistic recreation of the mind of a person who experiences schizophrenia. I have never come across a book that has done this so effectively. Through Robby's voice the author, Elizabeth Kytle, presents some of the prime features of life with schizophrenia; for example, 1. the extreme sense of social anxiety; 2 the social immaturity; 3. the confusion over sexual identity and fear of sexual contact; 4.the deep and profound, though constantly thwarted, need to belong; 5. the awareness that what you are doing and thinking is somehow extremely inappropriate combined with the need to spend intense energy disguising that inappropriateness; and finally, 6. the establishment of a barricade to protect yourself from other people, which eventually becomes a prison. One of the most effective techniques Elizabeth Kytle uses in this book is to have Robby narrate a portion of his life, and then have another friend, relative, teacher, colleague or employer then narrate a parallel section covering the same period of time, yet reflecting a different perspective on the same events. Research has shown that shizophrenia is caused by a complicated interaction between genetic and environmental influences--40% is probably genetic while the environment contributes the remaining 60%. This book does an excellent job of showing the interaction between these two elements to the point where Robby ended up in a psychiatric hospital with a full fledged case of schizophrenia. Overall, at the end of this book, I was wholly impressed with Robby's courage and ingenuity in facing an extremely destructive mental illness. We are also called to examine our own attitudes towards what those who have serious mental illness can and cannot do. It was clear that Robby, despite the severity of his illness, was a far more capable employee than others who weren't mentally ill. If only employers had been willing to work with his diability, he could have ended his life with some self-respect and dignity. In conclusion, I've read many books on mental illness, particularly in the area of memoir, and this is pretty well the best I've read thus far.

I am writing a paper on Paranoid Schizophrenia and found this to be an excellent story. I didn't know a lot about Schizophrenia before I read this book and it helped me to understand the diagnoses and the various hardships that Schizophrenics have to face, both mentally and socially. Much better than any textbook on mental disorders, this story is not only entertaining but educational as well. Highly recommended!

This is a thought provoking true story about Mental Illness.. Robby was handsome, charming, bright, friendly and hard working, yet angry,desolate, alone in a crowd. No one could save this wonderful man. Mental Illness is an illness of the brain, just as heart trouble is an illness of the heart. We need to accept it more.

The first time I read this book, I remember thinking "If only I could remember all these good ideas and what to say and what questions to ask." On rereading it, I can say "Yes, I can do these things naturally." That is why the book is so powerful. It describes what effective people in business do naturally, and encourages us to begin acting that way with minimal effort. Why then should so many people share this book with their colleagues, friends and family? The answer is simple - with today's daily pressures, people take too many short cuts and those short cuts along the bumpy road get us stalled (stuck in a run). "The 2,000 Percent Solution" talks about these "stalls" that keep us from succeeding, and makes them easier to spot and overcome. These "stalls" are usually caused by poor communications (the message is not understood), disbelief (we can't do it), tradition (we've always done it this way), bureaucracy (too many unproductive policies and procedures), misconceptions (based on poor assumptions), unattractiveness (not wanting to wade in murky waters) and procrastination (we can do it tomorrow, and maybe it will get better before then). A good related book is "The One Minute Manager" because it takes us back to the basics of being a good manager and a good human being. "The 2,000 Percent Solution" shows "The One Minute Manager" how to grow her or his business by 20 times the normal rate. Both are needed in your organization, no matter what size business you work in. I also recommend "The Balanced Scorecard" for pursuing your new directions and "Smart Choices" for personal decision making.

Like a lot of people, I was initially attracted to all the books about reengineering. Also like a lot of people, I found the results from that approach to business improvement to be disappointing. The 2,000 Percent Solution turns out to be the answer I was really looking for. In the second half of the book, you'll find a series of steps that will allow you to improve any process you have (for developing new products, reducing costs, providing customer service, or whatever you have. These steps are really helpful. I found the so-called 'theoretical best practice' to be a useful way for me to think about starting with a clean sheet of paper to come up with something better. I also liked the idea of continually repeating what is done to improve upon what has just been developed. If you are serious about improving your organization, this is a helpful book for you.

As editor of a monthly newsletter focusing on communications and the capital markets, I frequently review books. This book compares very favorably with all of the books that have been written in the last decade about how to improve business management and process and how to improve personal skills. It offers high practical value in helping managers overcome very real and serious obstacles to achieving greater success. These lessons apply not only in the business of managing the business, but also, importantly, in dealing with the various stakeholder groups that impact a business, namely employees, customers, and investors. I especially like and appreciate the maturity and common sense value of the book. Common sense that gets beyond the superficial and provides real insight that adds true value is hard to come by these days, even in books that make the best seller lists. Often, these books organize what we all know and seek to encourage us to organize and practice these ideas. This book goes much further. It documents obstacles that stand in the way of each of us, enabling us to relate ourselves to them. It shows us a new path to liberate ourselves. It gives us numerous real-life corporate examples and problems and solutions to guide us. It's not a book to read, become inspired for an hour, then put it on the shelf and let it drift from our consciousness. We become convinced of the seriousness of the issue, readily apply it to ourselves, become determined to deal with it, and find we have the ability to do so right in the book's contents. This book should encourage every reader to actually achieve a level of "best practice," incorporating best practices into our lives rather than just having another buzz phrase be part of our lexicon.

This is a great book for facilitating what African-Americans had to go through in oreder to go to a white, segregated school. This will help children to understand the present as well. It helps them to understand why there is still such a problem with racism. Ruby, the first black child to attend a segregated school, sets a great example for children to follow. The text is easy to read throughout, offering the viewpoint of Ruby's mom and teacher. Also, the watercolor illustrations would hold a child's attention. They are very lifelike and a lot of different colors are used. Ruby is always wearing something pink or red, which helps her stick out as a main character. Moreover, the illustrations depict the characters' emotions very well and this will help with the child's understanding of the book and the struggle that Ruby had to go through. Ruby is shown to have both strengths and weaknesses. However, her strengths outweigh her weaknesses. She is only frusterated when the crowd of angry people are shouting over her prayer for them. However, this still makes her believable. She is an extremely brave six-year-old, for facing the infuriated mob everyday to attend school. This is an excellent book for younger children.

The story of Ruby Bridges is a beautiful tale depicting the courage of six year
old Ruby Bridges and how she became the first black child to segregate the
elementary school system in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her story is one of hope
and encouragement to not only African Americans but also to the entire human
race. It teaches perseverance, forgiveness, and hope and should be read by all
to give insight into our history.

As for the illustrations, George Ford used watercolor paints mixed with acrylic
inks and conventional drawing inks to create images that are beautiful and so
real looking they're life-like.

Kudos to both author and illustrator on a job well done. I look forward to
sharing this book with family, friends, and my own children.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Courage and determination are the underlying themes in this beautifully illustrated picture book that addresses two of our country's worst crimes -- prejudice and segregation -- through the eyes of a six-year-old child. Ordered by a judge to attend an all-white school in 1960, Ruby Bridges is surrounded by an angry mob as she walks to school each morning. The mob is so intense that federal marshalls escort the young black girl to school where she becomes the only student in her class. Guided by her faith, Ruby trudges on with dignity well beyond her years and helps mold the changes that lead to desegration. Audiences of all ages (I use this book with eighth graders) will be affected by this triumphant story of one girl who made a difference in American history. The water color illustrations capture the intensity of the time period and the situation and allows the students to emphathize with this brave little girl. This book is a keeper for years to come and can be utilized in February for Black History Month or in March for Women's History Month!

"The Ultimate Competitive Advantage" provides business leaders with real-life examples and the rudder necessary to shift the course in a stormy, ever changing environment and find the most direct way to new opportunities. This is a useful toolset necessary to develop a winning business model in a globally competitive environment. The authors of this foremost book understand business models and how to make them a source of adequate competitive advantage. The primary idea of Don Mitchell and Carol Coles is simple and rather practical at the same time: improve the effectiveness of everything you do. The authors show how strategic innovation can emphasize your business from the stack and deliver stronger.

The book is well organized and the writing is clear and concise, all making for an informative and enjoyable read. It is an excellent book for a strategic planning point of view. It is an absolute necessity for the 21st century business owners and CEOs. The book is teaching you about Business Model Innovation and the ideas might become useful as your business direction changes. The book offers help to anyone looking to improve theirs chances for success. And it is quite readable. I highly recommend it for senior and mid-level managers, entrepreneurs, consultants, and business students.

Alexander Petrochenkov

Gadzooks man! When I first started this book and read the business models of the featured companies, I thought "What?! These people are literally gambling at the way they do business!" But the more I read, the more convincing it was to understand that to have the competitive edge in today's business world, you've got to think outside of the box.

Using real world business models, author's Mitchell & Coles explain how you can cause your company to have the competitive advantage by simply changing your company's business model. No matter what the size of your company, this book is a definite tool in creating your business model. Most companies restructure and reorganize, hoping to attain business effectiveness & success. Yet the "Ultimate Competitors Advantage" will help you discover ways to reinvent your business model that will not only meet the needs of your customers, but bring strong profitability back into the company and spread from the employees to the shareholders. All around success!

So put an end to the business model that says "We've always done it this way." Buy this book, and allow it to help mold and guide your imaginations into 21st century business model innovation!

THE ULTIMATE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE is a unique book that offers the reader, in a balanced blend of theory, example and anecdote, a comprehensive analysis of the importance of continual business model for all types of organizations. In today's rapidly changing world, the need for constant innovation in the many small things that make up an organization is key if a business is to remain fresh and creative. Whether the organization is a major global corporate force, a regional or local business, or even a not-for-profit religious, social service or community organization, the book offers the principles and ideas that can lead to greater competitive success.

Building upon the 25+ years of successful consulting experience with their own strategic consulting firm, Mitchell and Company, Donald Mitchell and Carol Coles present a tightly focused examination of the various elements of business model innovation. The book is very well organized and I found "Part Two - Provide Sustained Benefits for All Stakeholders" to be most valuable. Too many managers view the development of the business model as a one-time achievement where the finished product is bronzed, tied up neatly in a little bow, then placed on a shelf where it remains unchallenged for all eternity. In contrast, the authors emphasize the need for continual innovation - to refine and renew the business model, often in numerous small ways, as a means to uplift all of those who have a stake in the ultimate success of the organization. This occurs when a person, as a leader, grows beyond his narrow-minded functional approach to business and views his role and organization with passion, dedication, and purpose.

The story of Michael Cogliandro, Harvard's longtime barber-philosopher, offers a shining example of innovation not only just within the business model, but also within the totality of everyday life. Mr. Cogliandro's business model has moved beyond the functional to the sublime. He is seen as a communicator, a facilitator, and a philosopher; in turn he approaches what for many would be a mundane occupation - barber - with a holistic sense of mission and grace. This is a lesson repeated in countless quiet corners of the world, and yet is one that is consistently missed by those who equate competitive advantage with endeavors of global proportion.

As a reader of numerous books of business, religion, philosophy and other diverse areas, I have found THE ULTIMATE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE to be one of the most integrative and imaginative books in the area of business, looking at business model innovation as the journey, as well as the destination of an organization. To that end, it offers lessons in human behavior rarely covered in business texts. The reader will find many life lessons as well as business lessons in this book, and will find it well worth their investment of time and reflection.

What can a picture tell you about a person? The answer is quite a bit as you view these penetrating portraits of southern writers. A writer's tools are words to convey a story. Photographer Curt Richter uses his tools of lighting, mood, camera and the subjects themselves to reveal a visual story whose impact goes far beyond words.

Over a seven year period, Curt scoured the country taking pictures of those writers associated with the south. His labor was not in vain for he blessed us with outstanding visual views of these writers not seen before. These are not a compilation of formal studio portraits nor are they casual snapshots. You are given a series of sepia toned pictures whose faces, postures, hues and eyes that reveal something more about the subject that meets the eye.

Ralph Ellison looks like an elder statesman as he peers into the lens. Larry King appears to have a haunting quality as his off focus face gives us a smile. Eugene Walter looks like a supplicant in prayer or is he just fooling us? Let your mind and imagination decide as you see this wonderful display of southern authors. For those of you who are collectors of some of their works, you will be delighted with their pictures.

Robert Coles has written a foreward to the book introducing us into the world of southern writers and the culture of the south. Ann Beattie provides us with her observations regarding this collection through her afterword. Now relax, open this book and reflect upon these gifted writers of prose and poetry who have shared their wares with the world.

I have never been so captivated by photographs that truly depict their subjects. I have seen other works by Curt Richter and he truly is the finest portrait photographer of our time. Congratulations on a sensational effort. It came at the right time of year because I am giving this book to all of my friends and family.

It's so wonderful to see a group of photographic portraits that dispense with the current trend of the snapshot and at the same time have the courage not to follow a formula. The photographer is obviously aware of the history of portraiture occuring even before the advent of photography. As they say in "Fiddler on the Roof" -- "tradition." Thank God for some tradition. It seems so avant-garde. I throughly enjoyed the book.

Father Martin has written a very good book. The strength of the book lies in the way that the refugee's stories are presented. Father Martin does not parade their hardships and poverty before us in an attempt to provoke our sympathy or guilt. Rather, Father Martin presents us with real people who love and live. We come to know the people in the book as people, no different in their humanity than you or I. On the surface, this is no great insight, but I think we tend to objectify the exiles of the world in order to keep our distance from them. Father Martin does not let us do this. We come to know and care about the people in this book very deeply. Of course, this opens us up, as readers, to a deeper sorrow and (hopefully) a deeper understanding of how too many people live. But it also opens us up to a greater experience of God and how God works in the world. This book is a slim volume and easily read, but the spirutual insights are deep and meaningful. This book should be read by all of the idle and self-involved inhabitants of the "first world." You will never be able to look at a disposable plastic cup in the same way again.

I'm planning on going on a missions trip to Kenya this summer, so I was really searching for a book that would give me insight on the people of that region, not just the normal tourist information. This book blew away all my expectations. Not only did I meet the refugees through James Martins engaging narratives, I also felt like I knew them and could really identify with their hardships. The stories grew depressing at times, but such is life in East Africa, and that fact only made their faith and hope more amazing and inspiring. Martin was often humorous and candid, and I felt myself trying to cheer him along on his journeys as if I was right there with him.
This our Exile is a good read for anyone interested in East Africa and it's people who are often ignored and under represented. 2 giant thumbs up.

In this engaging book, a young Jesuit recounts the trials, tribulations and rewards of his two-year stint among the refugees of East Africa. He describes in vivid detail true-life vignettes of strength and hope in the midst of grinding poverty. But this book is far from somber--rather, it's full of laugh-out-loud humor combined with an evident love of the author's fellow man. A great book!!