I have followed the work of Ed Roth and the late "Von Dutch" since 1953. The word Pioneer doesn't even begin with the work these men have done over the last 45 years. Dutch started the trend of "Free Form" pinstriping, along with painted "figures" and some very unique "Flame Painting" back in the 1950s. Roth started building some very unique vehicles, way ahead of their time. He called himsef a "speed striper" which was a rapid form of pinstriping i,e, "no following around with fine details" yet the work was quite good. This book shows the best examples of both Roth and Dutch, and contains photos that we all thought were lost years ago. "Von Dutch" (a.k.a. Kenneth Howard) was a very underrated man, who was filled with talent and skills that would revel most of today's artists. It was a tragic loss when he died a very lonely man. Roth did a Video of Dutch in the late 1970s, which really showed the "methods to his madness."

I personally have given a tribute to both these men by building a copy of the sign painters box (made in 1919) given to Dutch by his father. Roth has pinstriped a few of these for his charity auctions. This book is a treasure to the art of pinstriping and the "Kustom Kulture" movement.

While being a big fan of "Big Daddy Roth", I still appreciate his hot-rod artwork. Shortly after finishing the book, I gave it to "Big Daddy Dean Paulsen", the man who taught Ed Roth everything he knows. Paulsen was pleased to know his understudy is still alive and well.

If you ever wanted to learn about the masters of hot rod art, this is a good place to start. While not the difinitive history of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth,Von Dutch or Robert Williams, this book delves into the rude awakenings of this all American art form. A damn good read.(I just looked at the pictures!!!!)

I have re-read this book three times, so far, and every time I pull something new from it. If you are looking for information to help you understand and appreciate the opposite sex, this is it. You can also gain a lot of understanding about your own behavior.

Dear Reader - As I recommand to all my students; just do not believe what you read in Ron Smothermon's "Man/Woman Book". However, investigate! If you are a man, ask if your personal experiances could be seen according to Ron's interpretations. As a woman, you may want to disapprove of all his approaches - pun intended. And yet, ask (both women and men) your mother and father, your aunts and uncles. Doesn't if fascinate you to realize that we still are stimmulated by our basic needs and fundamental instincts, the same as our ancesters had some six to ten million years ago? - "Homoeopathical reading" means to read a chapter (1.5 to 2.5 pages in this book) every day and every day just one chapter only. The results in your understanding of this book will be magnified. And have fun with it! - Yours kindly, Gábor (Organizer and German interpretator for Ron 1986-87)

This book takes the man/woman relationship apart from the inside and gets at the center of what's happening. I found myself thinking, "Aha! So, that's what's going on," many times throughout the book.

From a man's point of view, the book accurately expresses what it is like to be a man. Women, if you want to know the secret about being a man, this book will tell you.

My girlfriend read it, too. She says it "tells it like it is" from a woman's point of view, too.

We have both read probably hundreds of books about man/woman relationships. This one is the best!

I've been a devout follower of "What Color is Your Parachute?" ever since college...recommending it to folks who are ready to assess (for the first time, or once again) what the best fit is for them work-wise...

This book, Manage Your Own Career: Make it a SNAPP (I'll refer to it as MYOC from here!), is a perfect complement to 'Parachute', after you have found the right job...helping you know what you can do to make your dream work personally fulfilling and successful...because just doing your dream work doesn't guarantee fulfillment and success!

We are all our own 'career managers' and need to do so just like we would manage a project. That is what SNAPP is all about...practical tools to managing projects...and what a worthy project: our careers!

You'll find the parallels drawn in this book quite surprising, including how to build teamwork into your 'project'! It makes perfect sense!

But, instead, of MANAGING our careers, we tend to act as victims of fate and let whatever befalls us (promotions, demotions, layoffs, reassignments, etc.) just happen and go with the flow. This book will give you a whole different perspective and make you aware of things you can do to increase your real value to your organization and maximize your opportunities.

It's easy to read, conversational, and very practical, with lots of exercises and tools. MYOC provides ideas and actual tools (worksheets, checklists, etc.!) for how to get the most out of your career. And if the SNAPP process works for you, check out their other books: Make it Happen! Snapp Your Way to Success in Business and in Life (a true project management 'how to' book) and Career Contuation: Make it a SNAPP (a how to guide for making career transitions: finding a job, starting a business, etc.).

Collaboratively written by Donald J. Hanratty (President, The Career Control Group, Inc.), and Ron Biagi and Teresa Eyres (Co-Founders, ITH - a management consulting company), Manage Your Own Career: Make It A Snapp is a fine, step-by-step guidebook that coaches the concerned reader on how to take charge and manage their career for success. The SNAPP plan (See It, Negotiate It, Act on It, Persist, and Praise the Team) is a straightforward, winning plan to advancement, achievement, and recognition. Manage Your Own Career is especially recommended reading for motivated and career-minded workers regardless of their chosen field of employment.

At last! In the midst of today's economic confusion and disillusionment with self-serving corporations, along comes a guide for career self-management that is clear, concise, compact, and makes sense. In today's "new world of employment", Manage Your Own Career presents the concept that enterprising employees with focused career aspirations should think of their employer as their "customer." The book presents one approach to successful career management using three essential attributes: an individual managing their own career must be "entrepreneural, excellent, and engaging."

With these attributes as a base and using the SNAPP approach described in this and previous volumes by the same authors, the book proceeds to describe in no-nonsense language how to self-evaluate and how to take action. There are a wealth of practical success tips for reaching one's goals which include the expected tips for resumes and networking. However, to my delight, the authors have a "holistic" approach for the well-being of the reader including such tips as "keep fit" and "be nice to everyone".

With over 25 years in the corporate world, I have written countless business plans, action plans, and quarterly reports. I have experienced a myriad of seminars, conferences, and books with "how to's" for success...however, only the authors of Manage Your Own Career could finally explain to me the difference between "Goals" and "Objectives"!

The first time I saw the cover of Master Your Money (in Nairobi, Kenya, at my fiancee's place of work), my heart went cold. Financial management was a topic that scared me. I skimmed through the book and, for some reason, I started reading the first chapter. Before I knew it I had borrowed the book, read and reread it, made notes and outlined my financial present and future.

I presume the three key questions did the trick: Will I have enough money? How much is enough? Or possibly the graphic on the overall financial goals gave me a simple and clear picture on personal financial management. These clarified the issue on managing money in such a simple, easy way that I saw myself achieving my financial and non-financial goals. I had determined early in life to keep out of debt and the lessons I learned in MYM reinforced my resolution.

Needless to say, I recommended the book to friends, nay, I bought the remaining copies from the local bookstore that had them and ordered for some ten more to distribute to friends. They were excited and agreed with me that this was the book! I want more copies from friends. Five stars did you say? I would say it's a 6-Star book. It is excellent.

My husband and I worked through this book together. It is straight forward and really makes you think through the concepts of managing your money and resources. The book challenged us to take a step of faith and follow the biblical principles of money management. By applying those principles we were debt free (except for our house!) within one year - plus we actually saved money. We opened a general savings account, repair account and a Christmas account. I encourage anyone struggling with debt, or poor money management to read this book.

Many books on financial planning focus on "how to do it." But for most people, those "how to" stuff remain as dreams that are not implemented. Ron Blue and Chuck Swindoll explain the inner problem why we get stuck in financial hole, dealing with the roots of financial problems that are true to human beings. Then they lead their readers to a series of life-transforming actions that are applicable immediately. These heart-and-mind actions will translate into powerful, inner motivations that will energize you to apply the practical, well-researched, up-to-date, realistic "how tos" they provide in this book. I use this book in my work as a leadership development consultant. My wife, an investment funds adviser, includes this book in her seminars and personal financial counselling.

If I say "I wanna go to Mi-yami!" will it make me sound too whiny?

Who cares? After paging through "Miami Heatwave," the first book to feature the work of talented videographer and photographer Ron Williams, and set against the backdrop of South Florida, who wouldn't be saying the same thing?

Anyone who has ever sampled Williams' video work will appreciate this collection of still photographs. The artistry of Williams lens, the absolute physical perfection of every single male model, and the fine quality of printing (by Bruno Gmunder publishers) combine to make this one of the best collections of beautiful male photography seen in a long time.

The only quibble I have with "Miami Heatwave" is that some models are featured more than others, and the book isn't nearly extensive enough. But then, how could you ever get enough of Manny's big grin, Darren's silken, shelf-like pecs with their chocolate brown nipples, and blond Mark's amazingly perfect torso and six-pack abs? And then there's the famous Aaron, with his blond, boy-next-door gone bad hunkiness. Sigh.

With Williams' discerning eye, I can imagine he probably has material for 40 books in his (no doubt) enormous files, but his reputation for showing only his very best work may prevent most of what he has done to ever see that light of day. What a shame for his fans like me, if only because Williams' work, even on his worst day, easily outshines the best offerings of others working in the same field.

For now, anyway, we will have to be content with what Williams offers us - but let's hope that soon there will be a "Miami Heatwave II," - and III, and IV . . .

The blurb on the back cover is absolutely right, these guys do create " a desire for summer adventure" If you've never seen a Vista Video this book will certainly get you in the mood to watch one. Many of the Vistamen are here including Aaron, one of the models whose most synonymous with Vista Video, Carlos and Eric (two of the longest serving) and many others. These portraits are sheer works of art thanks to the models themselves and also to Ron Williams' skill as a photographer. The best picture in my opinion is of Jeremy, in a close-up with his arms hugging himself and his head at a cute, almost inquistive angle, as he looks into the camera with a warm heart-tugging gaze. But then all the guys look wonderful and even manage to keep most of their clothes on, except Mark, another of my favourites who cheekily stands nude behind a strategically placed surfboard. Some may find the lack of nudity boring, I think it makes an agreeable contrast to the more revealing nature of Vista Video productions.
This photobook is superb; A stunning book full of stunning men, which should appeal to anyone who likes good looking men.

This book of male models is not a "Heatwave" it's a "Miami Scorcher." Ron Williams has gathered together 14 very handsome, muscular young men, photographed in brilliant color. I usually like black and white photography better because I believe it has more feeling, but this new collection of Ron William's is breathtaking in its exciting photos of men in outdoor surroundings. I especially enjoyed models, "Federico, Aaron & Carlos." What handsome & masculine men they are. Most models are photographed in swimwear, shorts, jeans & underwear. There is no need for frontal nudity, the men are much more erotic shown this way.

Ron Williams is an Emmy Award winning director living in Miami, who has created many corporate commercials in the last 20 years. He is well-known for his VistaMen series of physique art videos showcasing many stunning sensual men who are physique models. I really enjoyed this book & hope to see more books published of his fine photography in the near future.

I have already read several books on statistics and QC, but only few of them are so comprehensive as this one. It is helpful for both undergraduates and graduates students, who want to better understand the topics here presented. The book also comes with a data CD for exercices, thus making understanding easier for people.

Seldom can it be said that statistical methods are well explained. This Reference is a great melding of both method and application. I found that many of the concepts are structured in a way that allows for more practical use than theory explaination. Kudos to the authors.

The next millenium offers new opportunities for the application of statistics in industry. These opportunites come from better understanding of management needs and availability of wide spread computer power. The foreword by Bob Glavin, Chairman of Motorola Inc., provides the business motivation for the implementation of industrial statistics. The text presents modern graphical techniques, bootstrapping approaches and advanced SPC and DOE techniques. An unusual feature of the book is the availability of add-on software that allows the reader to practice hands-on learning with simulators and specially designed software for data analysis, acceptance sampling, SPC, design of experiments, and reliability. A useful book for students and practicioners alike.

I purchased the MP3 Underground book at a Wal-Mart store for a great price. I have never understood much about MP3, until I purchased this book. It gives, especially for newbies, a semi-technical explanation of the "does" and "don'ts" in the "seedy underworld" of the MP3. The book "reads" very easily, even for a newbie. The book appears to have literary content, but it is excellent for technical explanations. The nice part of this book, which appears to be unintentional, is the many freebies. For instance, on pages 138 and 142, supported by pictures, are good technical explanations for the many whistles and bells on the MusicMatch Jukebox. Not even Microsoft or Dell gives a newbie this kind of illustrated technical explanations. This is a must have book.

Ron White and his son Michael have teamed up to write MP3 Underground, an exciting book that discusses in considerable detail the inner workings of the Internet, MP3 streaming technology, the software programs and devices used to participate in this innovative medium of online music distribution, and legal considerations that govern the music industry. Readers will greatly benefit from the treatment that Napster receives. The book provides a lot of detail, perhaps more than some folks in the music recording industry would like us to know about.

The book provides essential information about MP3 music playing programs such as RealJukeBox, MusicMatch, and the Windows Media Player, online music search programs such as Napster, Go!Zilla, MP3 Friend, and CuteFTP/MX, and portable players that will allow users to play downloaded tunes while on the go. Users will be able to compare the features of programs and players, they will learn how to use them, and then select the ones that best suit their own individual music needs.

Other helpful information provided by the authors includes instructions on how to download music, collecting and organizing music, burning your own music CD's, and recording online broadcasts using "ripper" programs. An excellent feature of the book not to overlook is the impressive listing of 101 audio Websites that offer downloadable music, music industry news, Webcasts, good links, software programs, and other streaming audio content.

The CD that accompanies the book features an impressive array of audio file editors, players, plug-ins, compression programs, and Web browsers that will help you get started to create, edit, play, and distribute music immediately. These programs will permit you to create and distribute just about every kind of sound file. They are really great tools to have on hand!

The book is fun, enjoyable, and entertaining to read. The contents is directed toward those who take music seriously, with a touch of humor thrown in to grab your attention. The inside front cover legal disclaimer is a riot. Readers will learn to greater appreciate computers and the Internet as serious tools to create and distribute music. This book will revolutionize the way we create, share, listen to, and enjoy music. This is a great gift idea for budding musicians and computer hobbyists. It's ideal for beginners!

Finally someone dared to write the book that tells what we want to know about MP3 and not just the surface junk. So many of the MP3 books that I have bought and read are filled with stuff that is boring and meaningless. It is almost as if the authors are afraid to write about this topic but they go ahead anyway hoping to sell a book. The CDs included with most books have been as dull as the book itself. Not so in this case. The book is written with a touch of humor which makes for enjoyable reading. Several times I found myself laughing right out loud at comments made. Not many computer books warrant reading every page but thats what I ended up doing with this book. I found the CD included things I could use right away. Also, this book is written so that even computer novices like myself can understand it. Too many times I find that authors assume that we all understand the entire workings of the computer world.

In August 1971, after three days of paddling his fragile kayak through a wilderness of bears and glaciers, Walt Blackadar , a doctor from Salmon, Idaho, tackled what is arguably one of the worst stretches of white water in the world- Turnback canyon on the Alsek river. He was forty nine years old and he was alone.

His solo run of Turnback canyon was one of the major breakthroughs in the history of white water kayaking and has been compared to the first ascent of Everest without oxygen. Although techniques and technologies improve, psychological barriers define what is possible. Walt's run of Turnback, no matter how exaggerated it may have been in hindsight, blew those definitions wide open.

In Never Turn back, Ron Watters, himself no slouch when it comes to river running, tells the story of this impressive man. Although born in the eastern united states, Blackadar went west looking for adventure. He didn't take up white water kayaking until he was in his forties. He quickly established a reputation though his pioneering runs on the biggest white water in the states.

The chapters dealing with Blackadar's solo run are the core of this book, an inspiring description of one man pitting himself willfully against the possibility of his own annihilation. Turnback made Walt a celebrity. Seven years later he was dead.

Watters deals honestly with Blackadar; he comes across as a loud, brash boozy man. He also describes Walt's failures and there are some great stories along the way.

Blackadar, like Mike Jones, died in 1978. Unlike Jones, Walt died in what seems a stupid accident on a Saturday morning paddle on a local river. The image of him causally trying to drawstroke his boat from under the log he was pinned against is one of the book's most haunting images.

There are two underlying themes which make this so much more than an accumulation of well told kayaking stories. The first is the tragic story of a man forced to be the impotent witness to his body's slow decay, a man who was terrified by the thought of dying in bed of cancer and old age, who constantly looked for new challenges to prove he was till young and strong. This is the man who constantly claimed that was invincible, that he would never die on a river and that he could, and would, one day paddle over Niagra falls and live to tell the tale.

Walt was also a representative of a certain, almost specifically American hero. He comes across as John Wayne in a kayak. Loud, bursting with energy, he went west to find adventure and the adventures he sought were the traditional test of "man in the wilderness". But there was no longer any social purpose to these adventures and the people of salmon recognised this and protested against their doctor continually risking his life. The days of the great individual , if they ever really existed, were disappearing fast. Salmon was changing from wild west town to settled community. Blackadar's lone yellow kayak in a world of ice grey is a symbol of the final fling of a man unencumbered by corporate sensibility, innocent of economic calculation, impervious to social pressure.

Never Turn Back is meticulously researched and written in a stylish, understated prose that artfully lets the subject tell itself. If you know nothing about Blackadar and have no interest in white water kayaking, this is still a rare book, intelligently and honestly written, an entertaining and thought provoking biography.

My thoughts have often returned to this book even though I read it several months ago. I cannot quite grasp how Blackadar survived the first descent of Turnback Canyon so long ago with the older equipment and kayak, alone. Such strength, courage, and focus is rarely encountered. He belongs to an elite group. He is compared to Hillary but I think he is more aptly compared to Mallory. Watters portrays several sides to this most interesting man. I find myself often thinking about how different he is from me. Yet the exercise of comparison is rewarding.

This book gave me a different look of a man that I have seen many times. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Although I knew what the outcome was prior to reading it, it still brought tears to my eyes. Well worth reading it.

I wouldn't have believed that you could do so much character development in 20 pages. These stories ring true and pull you in. I can't get enough. Start with "The H Street Sledding Record" about a husband and father that brings his family closer with yearly rituals; a man that so wants another child that he's afraid to ask his wife about the possibility lest she say no. You will identify with the struggles and idiosynchroncies of these people and will really care about how their story will unfold. It may be hard to find, but get this book.

I am not sure when I first read this book, but I return to it as often as possible. Carlson's stories and characters cleave to you (see "Blood"). I believe that readers will be better able to understand themselves, their emotions, and their reactions to trying circumstances after reading these stories. I wish I could assign this book to all of my students.

In 'News of the World', Carlson weaves a tapestry of stories that place common people in both common and absurd situations, keeping a conversational tone throughout. His voice remains simple and genuine, and while these qualify for the elusive genre of literary fiction they are not the inaccessible sort that so many stories from that genre can so often be. At times touching ("Blood") and at times hilarious ("Bigfoot Stole My Wife"), you can't help but like the characters. Nor can you help but read on. One of the better collections of stories I've read, I have recommended this book often and will continue to do so

This book reminded me why I liked Fight Club so much. The fact that my generation is so complacent about everything, that we expect everything to be handed to us, and we don't believe that we have anything to fight for all comes together in this novel. The fact that it is set in my hometown and when places were described I could see and smell and hear the surroundings made the book all that much more real. If you haven't read this book, do so as soon as you can.

If you've read Jack Kerouec's ON THE ROAD or Salinger's CATCHER IN THE RYE or Douglas Coupland's GENERATION X and were moved, Ron DeBoer's THE NOTHINGS will knock your socks off. I couldn't put it down. It's about four University of Toronto students who, upon graduation, decide to "play" a sociological experiment and immerse themselves in the city for one year with no money, no identification, no education...in short, with no history--and survive. The four characters--Moses, Lot, Eliza, and Boyd--faced with an uncertain future and high parent expectations decide simply to disappear without a trace. The first 250 or so pages lead up to this immersion. In this beginning section of the book, we learn about each of the characters--Moses is the son of a Baptist preacher; Eliza's mother is the famous feminist novelist Margaret Ross (Margaret Atwood?!); Lot's father is a wealthy mall owner; Boyd's parents work in a car manufacturing factory. In the middle section of the book, we learn about the four characters from their first-person accounts. Some pretty raunchy "city" stuff here. But the climax of the novel comes with a terrible fire that engulfs much of Toronto and knocks out all electricity and power. Everyone is forced to live without technology for a few hours and turn to each other for support. The final section of the book takes place at Christmas three months after the "Urban Carnage," which is what the four of them call their experience. There is a closing scene that is one of the most memorable I can remember. Check it out. If you love Douglas Coupland, you'll love Ron DeBoer

RETURNING LIGHT TO THE WIND is the story of a brother and sister, Dillon and Sarah Lewis, who journey into a world of television. The main character, Sarah Lewis, travels into Islone (satire for Nielsen, I think) to save her brother who has been named King of television and placed in charge of choosing children's programming. Sarah runs into an evil villain named Rollad Taroproc (Corporate Dollar, I think) who attempts to thwart her attempt to save her brother and redeem and television. When Sarah arrives, she finds out she is the long-awaited Lightbringer and her journey to save her brother turns out to be a quest to save the world of Islone. This book is excellent for middle and young adult readers; we use it in our school board at various levels in the grades 5-10 range. It gives kids a fun look at the inner workings of television and advertising and is very well written.