I purchased a new copy of this book back in 1986. It has to be one of the best books ever written regarding business start-ups. I guardedly loaned the book to friends over the years and eventually LOST this valuable resource. After searching for some time (plus sending some company wide e-mail pleas) I purchased an excellent condition copy from a seller on AMAZON. Later, to my delight, the LOST copy magically reappeared on my desk! I now have my original, with 16 years of hand written notes in the margins, plus a "clean" copy. Every entrepreneur should be so lucky. If you are new to starting a business, desire business structure skills, need sales technique review, or just want some business related inspiration, this book is for you.

I read this book in 1984, still in college, and it changed my professional life ferever. It has always been in my personal reference library, that means I do not lend it to anyone. Sorry for the other reviewers who did lend this book and lost it. This was my first business book, reading many others, but no one has been able to even come close to this jewel. It is not just good for entrepreneurs, but also for business people and anyone interested in understanding business. For me this is THE BUSINESS BOOK, everything else is rhetoric.

My review will sound like a broken record when compared with the others: Like nearly everyone else, I had bought a copy when it was in print over 20 years ago. Like nearly everyone else, I read it, loved it, and then lent it out...only never to see it again. Like the others, I never forgot it. Now that I'm involved in a new start-up, I tracked down another copy and it's not going far from me. Let me steal from another review below: "This is by far the very best book that has ever been written for budding entrepreneurs...Even though it was written in 1977, don't shy away. Over 99% of the information is still viable in today's business world."
That says it all. Published by Chilton, this is a nuts-and-bolts, no-nonsense approach to start-ups, from manufacturing to service industries. You can't lose with this book.

This book has all there is for the novice and experienced
investors ... . It has all the information relevant to the world of investments, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, indices ....
All presented in as simple way as possible to the man in the street. Yet in it's own way I would think even the expert money
managers will hate to give this book a miss!

I was surprised how quick paced and understandable this book is to read. Investment strategies can be very dry. But this book is a fast read and I learned a lot from the author.

I have never been able to stay in the market when it got rough. But this book showed me why I need to stay in, even when all the bad news tells me to get out. More important, I learned that if I use a wide allocation of funds, I will actually have less risk. This was a real eye opener for me.

I am very grateful the author took the time to write this book. It will change my entire approach to investing. Now maybe I will actually achieve my objectives. Thanks

A must read for anyone wanting to know what investing is all about.

Extremely well written book and fantastic to read, it gives a well-documented history account of how times change through the decade's spanning the 1900's to early 60's from the beginning of organized crime, the politics, the economics' right through to a future out look as to where it was all going. A very clear look at one-man perspective of himself and everyone he knew, and just what it took to stay one step ahead.

Straight from the horse's mouth. Lucky's testament jives with other reliable accounts of the inner workings of organized crime while filling in a lot of gaps on the development and early history of the five NY families.

For the most part the information appears reliable, although in some cases, such as Lucky's professed denial of his significant involvement in the international drug trade, it seems clear that he 'dost protest too much.'

Lucky's claims about his involvement --or lack thereof-- in Operation Underworld, the WWII Naval Intellegence op to keep the NY docks safe, as well as the invasion of Sicily, also seem to ring true. Like Giancanna, Trafficante and Rosselli in a later clandestine relationship with CIA to kill Castro, it was all a scam. I can even believe Lucky's claim that he actually engineered the sabotage of the Normandie to kick the whole scheme off.

But what the 'Testament' provides best of all is a close look from Lucky's perspective at the personalities and relationships of the most infamous members of Cosa Nostra and their associates:
Lucky knew them all.

Lucky was indeed, The Godfathe

I give this book five stars because its the most accurate accounts of the begining the middle and the future of organized crime. I've read the book five times before I was eighteen years old.and it helped me seperate fact from fiction when studying further on subject. If you want the truth about the mafia, then this is the book for you!!!

While a brilliant documentary, Burns' "Jazz" also reinforced the notion that jazz is exclusively an African-American artform. Fortunately, "Lost Chords" does much to blow away that misperception. While never belittling or downplaying the role of those African-American giants in jazz, this book does an outstanding job of profiling all of the individuals and bands who received short shrift from Burns: Steve Brown, who pretty much invented jazz bass playing; the Jean Goldkette Orchestra; Miff Mole; Frank Trumbauer; and may more. And he does so in a way that is both interesting to the casual fan (with anecdotes and such) and the hardened muso (excerpts of scores abound). A scholarly tome, this is a worthy addition for any jazz fan's library. I look forward to Volume II.

I'm a musician. I borrowed this book from my local library. The more I read it the more I knew I had to own it. Every once and a while someone does something of real quality. The minute you see it or touch it or come near it, you know it's the real thing. It's good. You have to have it. I bought this book because it's all that. As I read it I really didn't care about black or white, I only became absorbed in these amazing people and their remarkable achievements. Anyone who has a desire to know what happened back in those days and its relevance to jazz today better read this book. Don.

Not a mere antidote to political correctness in jazz criticism; Lost Chords is a prewar cultural history, a lesson in music structure, a history of woodwind instruments, a guide to innovations in guitar tuning, AND MORE. It shows the musicians as human beings with all their failings, humor, drives, hard work, and talent. I especially loved the account of the bass sax --- an instrument that looks like it could double as a moonshine still --- and its usefulness in the early days of sound recording. Sudhalter admonishes us to listen to the music and to make up your own mind. Exactly right. A good place to start is Robert Parker's Bix Beiderbecke Great Original Performances 1924-1930 (available on Amazon) If you have ever heard an early 78 rpm record, you will be astonished at Parker's sound restoration.

I purcased this book yesterday and i am aready done reading it! I cannot wait to read it again.
From birth to backing is with out doubt a horse training bible, there is very intelligent methods to go by from biting to rearing and halter brakeing to trail riding. I can't wait to start teaching my 5 month old belgin draft. At first I was afriad of her , she is already taller than me ( I'm 4'11") but now i feel that i am knowledgable enough to handle any situation. I really wanted to start off on a great start so i searched for the right book , I am very glad i bought this one!!

This is an excellent book using Monty Robert's training. It has been (thus far) a life safer for training my young foal. Highly recommend.

This is the best foal and horse training book ever written! When I first bought it, it didn't look interesting but when I read it, I couldn't put it down!. Now that I'm buying a foal, and am going to be there when it's born, I'M PREPARED! A must have for all who are going to have foals!

An indispensible resource for scholars and fans. No other biography so captures the man and his work. On top of that its a damn fine read, and I would recommend it to anyone who seeks to tackle either of Joyce's last two novels.

I was prompted to read this by Tom Stoppard's glowing recommendation of it in "Travesties." Ellman certainly brings the liveliness of James Joyce's life to life, describing everything from his practical jokes to his desparate financial straits -- meticulous to the point of noting the times when Joyce entered the lottery. I'd read the original 1958 edition, and I'm curious how the revised edition would stand against that now-honoured text.

For more Ellman, I highly recommend his collection of essays, "a long the river run."

Richard Ellmann's biography is by far the most comprehensive and readable book on the life of this Irish genius. Ellmann takes us through Joyce's quarrels with his family,church and nation, "the nets," his courtship and family life with Nora, and most importantly, shows the biographical link between Joyce's life and work.This book is a treasure.

"Kiss of Evil" is a grim thriller exploring the twisted intersection of sex and violence. The nominal hero is Cleveland homicide detective Jack Paris, a troubled man trying to survive life, divorce, and fatherhood, all while attempting to solve a series of brutal murders which seem to be connected to the mysterious death of a brother officer.

Author Richard Montanari has the stark images of hard-boiled noir down pat. His story is fairly gruesome, somewhat confusing, and quite interesting. His prose is dark and sparse, but thankfully ungimicky. He plays with the structure a bit, intercutting the first person POV of the killer with the more standard third person narrative following the investigator. This technique--one I'm not often fond of--works well at heightening both the tension and the revulsion factor. Definitely not for the weak-stomached.

Although the dust jacket bills "Kiss of Evil" as "a novel of suspense" it's not particularly suspenseful or gripping. The emphasis is more on character and the psychological aspects of the case. There are elements of "cat and mouse" detection, but those aren't the focus. Montanari is more concerned with plumbing the depths of the psycho-sexual morass that Paris encounters, and the book is the better for it.

In this story, we meet another evil psycho who not only likes to kill his victims, but mutilate them as well. Pursuing this monster is the jaded cop, Jack Paris. This is an engrossing tale, with a down to earth hero who has his own share of problems in addition to tracking down an elusive, vicious murderer. The story is frightening and graphically violent, so if you are the least bit squeamish, think twice about reading the book. Interesting characters, fast moving plot and a monstrous villian make for a quick, tension filled read.
This is the first book I've read by Mr. Montanari. I plan to read the others to find out what I have been missing.

For those liking the mystery and suspense of a great detective novel, this book is for them. It ranks top in all the detective novels I've read over many years. It's definately a candidate for the top ten best seller list.

You'll be enthralled with the characters, and the twists and turns of the plot will keep you reading until you finish the book. Detective Jack Paris is sure to become a legendary character in the literary world.

Richard Montanari is a gifted writer. I've read his other two books, Violent Hour and Deviant Way and I anticipate his next book with exuberance.

When I read this book, images filled my head. The author has a way of writing that creates pictures. And what pictures they are: Gorgeous men, sexy scenes, nature, alcoholism, infidelity and adventure in words describing glances and the touch of fingers in the night. And the characters! I'd like to meet them, Tony in particular. Does anyone really have a tongue like that? This book is a great book, but it would be a great movie too. Any producers reading this? Hello Miramax?

This is the most engaging book I have read in a long, long time. Winchinchala plays hardball with the human psyche, and just when you thing you've run the gamut of all possible emotions...bang, zoom...another kidney punch sends you careening into the next chapter. Get a good HMO and get a copy of Hebe Jeebie!

This is the most amazing book I have ever read. I cannot stress enough how much you need to read this. It echoes all of the childhood pain that I ever went through, albeit in a different way, but you relive that through Heebie. She touches your heart, all the characters just become so real, you can't believe it when the book is over! I really hope there is a sequel, although I can't imagine what it would be like. With Winchinchala, I get the impression anything could happen. Such an incredible author.

I gravitated towards this book initially because of the many good things I had heard about it. This book sucked me in immediately and it's thick size did not matter, until the end when I wished it would continue.
Richard Dry captures the "black experience" in America better than anyone ever has in the past. It is not a "preachy", "blame the white man" novel, but a FACTUAL, ACTUAL account of the travesties and inhumane conditions blacks have and continue to endure in the "land of the free".
At times I was angered and saddened over particular events that I had never heard of. But as an AA woman I gathered the strength inherited from my people to face the truth.
Something has sparked in me after completing this book, a renewed spirit maybe? An awakening?
"Leaving" should become required reading for all students in high school. It is too important to ignore.
EXCELLENT WORK MR. RICHARD DRY! Anyone who reads this book owes it to the public to spread the word. PICK THIS ONE UP! It is a classic!

This book changed my life. Dry captures a stark reality many of us comfortably avoid. Thoughtful, compelling and wrenchingly honest, this book has become my preferred gift for my most literate and socially responsible friends - as well as those who just like a good story.

This book was excellent. The characters were real, the plot amazing and overall everything was one of the best books that I read this year!

Wonderful book! The characters come to life in this touching story about a family's life, struggles, their ups and downs. Excellent reading!

This multi-generational novel about an African-American family in Oakland begins in 1959, when Ruby and Easton Washington leave South Carolina for California, and follows them and their family through the trials of the second half of the 20th century, including the civil rights movement, drug addiction, sexual abuse, misguided social workers, and various forms of racism,