If you are a ref...this book teaches you how to really BE one and be a PART of the game..not the obstruction to it. YOU NEED this book it is the best referee book ever written.

As a Grade 7 referee upgrading to a Grade 6 - State Referee I have read everything I can about Soccer Refereeing. I wish I would have found this book first instead of last. The authors bring wonderful insight to the "sport" of Soccer Refereeing. They have given me so many new and wonderful ideas that I can't wait to try them this season.

Whether you are a new referee or an experienced referee I would highly suggest this book. It covers topics that were never ever discussed in my training sessions. So much so that I actually have a new outlook on how I referee this wonderful game of soccer.

The other books are good and are worth your time but read this book first, then go to the others.

Michael Metz - USSF Grade 7 Referee - AYSO Area Referee

This book is the best book I have read so far about being a referee. This is not a book to read if you are trying to learn the rules of soccer themselves. This book is full of techniques and practical advice for use in actually officiating a soccer match. This is my first year as a referee, after several years as a coach of youth teams and playing in adult leagues. This book was of enormous help to me and made my "rookie" year so much easier. I concure with the other reviewers. Many of them, from the titles they list on the reviews, are experienced referees. Their coments about this book influenced me to get the book and I am very glad I did. If you are looking to be a better soccer referee, this is a must read.

This classic Victorian novel popular in its time is a fine example of descriptive writing at its best. It will entertain as well as educate the most prolific of readers with references to world-wide geographic locations, foreign phraseology, and descriptive paragraphs that are refreshing different to 21st century reading. A tale of romance and intrigue woven with Christian morality will delight the reader into imagining themselves present in an era now passed. I can see why it was a favorite of my grandmother and will remain a favorite with me.

Although the book chronicles the life of Edna Earl from childhood into adult life, it was titled, 'St. Elmo.' Edna Earl maintained a very high sense of morality, and strongly valued her belief system and her integrity. It was this sense of morality, expressed through her confident personality, that resulted in the eventual 'spiritual reawakening' of St. Elmo Murray. St. Elmo was truly 'born again' as a man and as a spiritual being. His turnaround from an angry, misanthropic individual into an enlightened individual was remarkable. It was Edna Earl who triggered this awakening in him. Therefore, naming the book 'St. Elmo' was a testament his receiving of grace. Agusta Jane Evans was an outstanding writer, as good as any whose books I have ever read.

I have read this book threetimes. The first was when I was a teenager no more than l4 years. I read it again soon after I was married at twehty three. The first two times were borrowed books - I then found it still in print so I finally bought my own copy. I treasure it and probably will read it again for the fourth time. It is the greatest book I have ever owned not counting the Bible.

This books is full of inspiration, information, and hope. I am so blessed to have come across this book in the early stages of my educational leadership experience. I have been a principal for less than a year. No matter where my leadership "road" takes me, I am sure that I will always reference the reading of this book as playing a pivotal role in shaping me as a leader. In this respect, it will rank second to only one other powerful book which plays a similar, yet infinitely more powerful role: the Bible.

According to Evans, the goal of this immensely readable and practical book is to help school leaders "implement change in ways that truly 'take'." He has divided this project into three parts. In the first, he describes the nature of change; in the second, the dimensions of change; and in the third, the dynamics of leading innovation. Evans' book is perhaps different from others in that he looks at change from where most schools are, not from where he believes they should be. In so doing, he describes what it means for schools to grow and improve given the very human constraints that define an educators' world.

In describing the nature of change, Evans sees a need to move away from common organizational assumptions rooted in Taylor's scientific management practices to assumptions that are more aligned with the nature of today's organizational reality. Given that the environments in which organizations operate today are no longer stable, but turbulent, change strategists must alter the way they seek to improve their organizations. Taylor's legacy assumes efficient organizations are stable, rational, hierarchical, and product-oriented. Evans argues that this "rational-structural" paradigm is less useful than the "strategic-systemic" paradigm, which assumes that efficient organizations are fluid, adaptable, open, and process-oriented. Given that cultures (school cultures as well) are fundamentally conservative, changing schools means changing school cultures. The problem is change challenges peoples' competence, creates confusion and causes conflict. Effective change strategies must harness people's competencies, seek coherence, and work productively with conflict.

In describing the dimensions of change, Evans argues that change must be desirable and feasible. He includes a useful table of tasks of change (p. 56), which describes "unfreezing" the school's culture by increasing the fear of not trying, making change meaningful to the change agents, developing new behaviors and ways of thinking, revising existing structures and norms, and generating support for change. In one of his key chapters, Evans addresses the issue of the "reluctant faculty" and offers an analysis of the faculty member in midcareer (the average age of teachers in the US is forty-five). In part, midcareer educators are where they should be: their personal roles (partner, parent, community member) in life have become important, and the material rewards of work have become necessary expectations. Yet for many, educating young people has become less challenging and the rewards and recognition for what they do have become less frequent. These faculty are isolated and unfreezing them is a significant challenge. Schools must offer more new opportunities for leadership, appropriately recognize and reward teachers at all stages of their careers, and seek new ways for teachers to develop professionally and personally. Additionally, to undertake effective change, schools must assess their organizational capacity by examining six school specific contexts, which Evans describes in some depth: (1) Occupational framework (2) Politics (3) History (4) Stress (5) Finances, and (6) Culture (pp. 119-143).

In the last section of the book, Evans focuses on leadership as a key dimension of innovation. Given that effective reform in today's schools requires trust and consensus, authenticity is the key quality for school leaders - be they teachers, administrators, or parents. Major change, he argues, almost never arises from the bottom up, it comes from purposeful leadership. Purposeful leadership means generating consensus around a school's core purposes and demonstrating tireless commitment to them. Purposeful leadership builds followership and with followership comes change. (Evans offers an exploration of six ways to build optimal participation on pages 246-252.) Leaders should emphasize the positive, keep the path clear (when you add, take something away), and be flexible with timelines. The leader can't ask others to change unless s/he changes first. And, leaders must challenge "unprincipled resistance" from staff who violate group values. Schools, like America's top corporations, must reward people for trying innovations, and avoid punishing failure.

This book, more than most I've ever read, is true to its title. Evans is humane, intelligent, insightful, and realistic. This book continues to enrich me each time I re-read it.

A staggeringly good book.Easily the best analysis of the change process in education that I've read-and I've 'force-read' a few. Evans' adopts a holistic approach concentrating on why real innovation is so difficult to achieve successfully. However,there is much sage advice and many cogent observations that are enormously thought-provoking. Although ostensibly about change it is also a marvellous examination of leadership,how educational institutions function and how public policy should be implemented.This is an excellent book in every respect.

Ripping time was monotonous and confusing. The House the Jack built provided a clear and workable outcome. Everything works out for the best(for most) and you cheer on Skeeter and his friends the whole way through. The way they finally resolved the plot was a bit rushed but it was a fine book overall. I personally can't wait until the next book in the series.

Bad puns aside, I had to force myself to put this one down, in order to deal with necessities like work, food, sleep. This is the second half of the novel begun in "Ripping Time" and the climax(es) are superbly done.

These two books would make an absolutely rousing mini-series.

A great adventure continues. Asprin and Evens agan have a story filled with action of a historical event. Never a dull moment. I read the story in one sitting enjoying every page. The reader is easly placed in the action through the verbal visualization of 19th century, Denver and the Time station. The continous twists and turns add flavor to the story. My only critizism is the epilog. I would like to have seen just a little more detail on what happened to charactors after their return.

As far as I know, this is the only book of its kind, and it is superb. Essential for those involved in the architectural or interior design profession, but also excellent for those that are fans of architecture. Enjoyable to read (or browse) cover to cover, but also useful as a very complete reference. My only wish is that I could visit more of the places I have read about in this book!

A most interesting and even exhilarating educational resource...clearly the essential and definitive tool for architecture and design facts.

My father wrote this story for me when I was 12. He didn't publish it
until recently, and I never actually read it until recently. I might
be somewhat biased in reviewing it, but I feel it's an important book
because of the moral/ethical lessons woven into the story. It is not
your average Oz story. It certainly captures the whimsical style of
L. Frank Baum and faithfully retains his main characters, however,
while many new characters are introduced, the story contains a most
interesting but perhaps controversial philosophy. We feel that Baum
might have said some of these things in his time had he dared. (After
all,he was a theosophist), but because of the times he lived in he had
to bring his beliefs through in a very subtle way. Having said that, I
do think that the spiritual lessons given, although much more obvious
in their intent, could be very helpful to a young person just
beginning to formulate his or her values. In fact, I venture to say
that if children everywhere were to adopt just a few these principles,
they would find themselves, as adults, in a vastly improved world, one
that would be relatively free of violence (both in the media, and in
reality), and perhaps more importantly, free of intolerance. A world
where a new sense of honesty would exist -- not only in individual
citizens, but in corporate America, and in politics.(An Oz-like
reality on earth?) The story itself takes place prior to Dorothy's
moving to Oz permanently. Still back in Kansas our heroine is
reminiscing on Oz when she begins to feel faint. She is caught up in a
terrible vortex not unlike the original twister that first transported
her to Oz when she suddenly finds back once more in that magical
kingdom. Upon being reunited with her charming old friends the
Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman, Dorothy soon learns
of yet another Wicked Witch, the Wicked Witch of the Deep South, who
spends a good deal of her time in a fascinating place called
Negativethoughtland where cruel or evil thoughts take on tangible
physical form. The Fabulous Four embark on a quest to stop the evil
Witch from filling Oz with these repugnant forms and to bring back the
beauty and happiness that we all associate with Baum's delightful
fairyland. Along the way, we are treated to encounters with various
new residents of Oz such as the Fuzzy Yellow Woggle Bugs, not to
mention several strange creatures with names like Ticklemonsters,
Girrephalumps, and Octapong.... During the journey there is a
beautiful sojourn with a community of American Indians, as well as a
meeting of the minds with members of a unique club consisting entirely
of United States presidents. (Topics covered range from George
Washington's economic system to the importance of education, and of
treating one another with respect and dignity.) During the good
natured bantering between themselves some of the presidents provide
interesting historical information on their lives. Another chapter is
devoted to an important meeting with UFO people who represent an
extremely advanced civilization. They make some remarkable revelations
and speak with great wisdom, but since the dialogue is extensive,
younger children could safely skip most of this without losing any of
the story.) Following is a brief quotation from this segment to give
you some idea of its content: "...You see, beloved friends, it is
much easier for you to doubt your abilities, your powers, than it is
to try to realize the potentials that lie within you. Accept your
challenges of today. Cope with them and be not concerned for the
future ... Each of you has tasks before you that you will perform and,
if you will allow yourself to flow with the tide, you shall find that
these things will come to you in proper sequence. There is a constant
flow of energy around your planet. The entire cosmos is energy. We,
too, are energy. Swim in it! Feel yourself as a pulsating, living part
of the universal energy; feel yourself to be in tune with this energy
- to be flowing along with it, in harmony with it. If you become
disturbed or distressed, you have stepped out of the flow. If you go
against your conscience, you will go against the flow and be pushed
out of it. Keep your thought harmonious. Do not allow little things to
upset you. Check yourself several times a day to insure that you are
still within the flow - you will know by the feeling of inner peace
and tranquillity. Eventually you will not need to check; being in the
flow will be the most natural thing in the world for you. As each one
on earth learns these things, the forces of darkness will perish; they
must be banished from your planet for all time. And out of this must
come a new age of love, harmony, and understanding, an age where each
shall live to benefit his brother and not himself - wherein all
problems, the answer sought shall not be 'What is best for me?' but
rather 'What is best for all concerned?" There is a host of other
fascinating characters, including Gayelette, who was first introduced
in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This time, however, the emphasis on
very open-minded conversations (as mentioned above) that make for
fascinating reading. There are even a couple of delightful songs that
would put the Patchwork Girl to shame. A warning to adults who might
accidentally read this book: Towards the end of the story a mysterious
stranger is introduced to Dorothy: He doesn't give his name but his
identity is clear. He tells us that we didn't quite get the story of
his life and mission quite right. This could be a shock to some, but a
for others a revelation....

As I said before, this is not your
average Oz book.

This story is very original. There is no Nome takeover of Oz attempt. There is no long-lost sibling of one of the recurring Oz characters suddenly recovered from a wicked enchantment. Instead, this book focuses on stimulating converstaion between Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Woodman, and the Scarecrow. I do not always agree with the statements made in these conversations, but they certainly give me much to think about. Please read this with an open mind. I'm not saying that there is no Wicked Witch --don't think for a moment that there is no conflict. But this Witch is more interested in creating negative thoughts than in taking anyone for a slave. She is more comic relief than threat to Dorothy and friends. As they go in search of the Witch, they come in contact with several unique characters along th way. Space aliens, Pinheads, and even some very famous historical figures. All of these are captured brilliantly in Dennis Anfuso's charming illustrations. The cover is a water-color painting by Dore Meers (illustrator of THE FOREST MONSTER OF OZ) which is a fitting tribute to the Oz legacy. It features Dorothy with the famous trio on the Yellow Brick Road. For anyone who loves the famous Oz books by L. Frank Baum and his many successors, this is a nostalgic item that should bring a good deal of happiness.

"The Healing Forest" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy." http://www.csp.org/chrestomathy

Technical, but excellent. Photos are stunning

This is a marvelous book. Some mediation texts teach from a distance, seeming to say "you only get to watch while you are learning", but this book drew me into the learning
experience and made me part of it. Often it seemed to be speaking to me personally. The language and writing style not only make it clear and easy to read, but pull the reader into the essence of the mediation experience. The foundation of the authors' years of experience is evident in the clear and focused organization of this book.

I also thought that Peace Skills helps bridge the gap between concepts and practice by asking questions and offering application exercises which can help one discover one's practice potential. The exercises are extremely helpful for those who want to use it as a teaching manual. The text would stand alone for those who want a reference book, or an introduction to mediation.

I am very enthusiastic about this book. It is very practical and should be useful in conflict situations throughout the world. It is based on the collaborative work of the authors in South Africa during the transition from apartheid. The book is intended to build the peacemaking skills of non-professional community leaders and it succeeds admirably in achieving this goal. The authors approach peacemaking from a religious perspective, but the book can be used in both religious and secular settings.

A must have for anyone who is fascinated by Robert Cochrane and the Clan of Tubal Cain. There is much to learn from this complex writings , His devotion to the Old Ways is felt when you read his letters. Some of the letters give inside information about the way the Clan of Tubal Cain worked . A great job done on this by Evan John Jones and Michael Howard. FFFF

A must have for anyone who is fascinated by Robert Cochrane and the Clan of Tubal Cain. There is much to learn from his complex writings , His devotion to the Old Ways is felt when you read his letters. Some of the letters give inside information about the way the Clan worked that has not been made public before. There more new information about the letter "s and The Clan of Tubal Cain. The only thing missing are the drawings and symbol's.
A great job done on this by Evan John Jones and Michael Howard, FFFF .

High speed networks and information security

This is the book that really made me understand network performance. It covers performance/delay issues right through the protocol stack.

The Author works through examples to show the reader where performance issues may arise. Many popular products and protocols are covered.

Time after time I see clients moving LAN applications into the WAN environment and failing. All these clients make the same basic mistakes, mistakes they would never have made had they read this book.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I own three copies, while my employer owns two. We struggle to keep ONE copy in the office!