Outstanding guide for NCOs. I bought this book when I was assigned to USAREC and have used it ever since.

I found the Three Meter-Zone to be simply one of the best books on leadership that I have ever read. And there have been many such books that I have read. This book clearly rates as one of the top two or three books that I could recommend on this topic.

Although I have a military background (USMC, late 60s - early 70s), I spent my career in law enforcement. I retired a couple of years ago after almost 29 years, to include time as a "first line supervisor and commander in Patrol Operations and police tactical operations (SWAT).

I found it to be very refreshing that this book was oriented "primarily" towards the first-line supervisor level. Although the principles and concepts outlined in the book were clearly applicable toward supervisory and management positions above that first line level, the thrust of its direction was somewhat unique in the direct approach towards first line supervision.

Additionally, the use of "war stories" to demonstrate specific examples of conceptual thoughts of principle allowed the reader a glimpse of practical applications of the various principles.

It was quite strange that while this book was an easy read - easy to follow, well written, and by no means conceptually "hazy" - I found it hard to finish! And that was only because I found myself reading a section, putting the book down and mulling over what I just read (and sometimes mulling it over off-and-on for hours), going back and re-reading it, etc. before going on to the next section. As a result, it took me quite a bit longer to finish the book that I had first imagined!

This book rates an "A+" for no other reason that the author's identification of one of the key problems facing supervision AND management today: "The Three Ps" (I won't ruin the surprise for future readers by identifying them).

In fact, in my opinion, in today's area of supervision and management - as I know from first hand observation in the law enforcement field and otherwise see both in the corporate world and in the military - the "Three Ps" are THE biggest problems of leadership today. Until the cultural climate adjustments occur that effect the necessary changes in this area, I see no hope for true positive outcomes within those troubled organizations.

This is an outstanding book that tells an uninformed reader exactly how NCO's should motivate, direct, and give purpose for a Three Meter Experience ! FM 22-100 guides soldiers in the Army leadership process through the eyes of Senior Officer Leadership. The Three Meter Zone gives it to you by a Noncommissioned Officer, for Noncommissioned Officers who like to get close and personal. We are in an Army that has sold its soul to corporate America and are being taught to "manage" soldiers instead of leading them. Its good to see a book supporting direct, in your face leadership !! I've conducted a Bold site adjustment on my leadership style and am confident that my shot group is now in the Three Meter Zone!

Full of real-life examples that provide some intuitive insight about the issues that may arise when modelling time series and forecasting. Requires some initial knowledge in statistics and algebra but if you're involved in time series modelling, it should be your first book. All the data thats used is available in the authors webbsite for downloading, very nice.

To make this review short, I will say that I agree with all seven points made by the reviewer from New York, NY, whomever he or she may be. Franses is clear, concise, authoritative and up-to-date on all the advances.

I particularly like the nice coverage of GARCH models that are new to me. It is a great introductory text especially for economics majors. For more advanced books and other treatments of time series consider Kennedy's fourth edition of "A Guide to Econometrics" or the suggestion from reviewer "New York, NY". Also my listmania list on time series will give you several sources to look at.

Recently, I reread Franses book and expanded my review, which now includes 10 benefits.
(1) Organization by key features of economic time series (trends, seasonality, outliers, conditional heteroskedasticity, non-linearity), rather than by methods, which provides a practical foundation for the various methodologies. The order in which chapters are presented reflects the order of difficulty in modeling trends, seasonality, etc. Even if there were no other benefits, this organization makes it worthwhile.
(2) Appropriate level for first book on time series models as applied to economic time series, explaining more difficult concepts GARCH and VAR without excess detail. Box and Jenksins book is more a textbook; Brockwell and Davis is also more advanced; Hamilton is comprehensive and technical, but not as friendly. This book is very approachable even if you have had only 1 or 2 statistics courses. In economics, many people are interested in forecasting, and Franeses here is a good start. If you are looking for a more advanced forecasting book, try the recent books by Clements and Hendry from Cambridge U Press.
(3) Clear distinction of the steps of model identification, estimation, diagnostics, and selection; something which other time series analysis books do not seem to do early or easily. (4) Delineates stochastic and deterministic models in the second chapter, providing a framework for when to take differences (eg. ARMA vs ARIMA). His timing is excellent. Many people I have interviewed on time series do not understand why they need to difference (eg use prices instead of returns) or why to transform the series (eg use logs instead of actual values).
(5) Generous use of examples with real not simulated data with a website to download all the data, making it possible to import, graph, and analyze on your own.
(6) A website containing printing corrections. Techincal books are likely to have some errors, but very few keep websites to list what those are.
(7) Revealing graphics, especially for conditional heteroskedasticity, the 'CH' in GARCH. Figures 7.1-7.3 illustrate the concept that large returns tend to follow large returns very cleanly.
(8) His notation is clear and consistent, yet not overwhelming: conventional Greek letters, only 1 level of subscripting, matrix noation where appropriate; even the results are neatly presented, as standard errors appear in () below their point estimates. Finally, Franses uses the same notation from chapter to chapter where the term is the same--not so common when chapters written by different authors.
(9) Great appendices: extensive and updated references, a thorough subject index, and an author index. My only suggestion for improvement is that a second edition or the website should contain some exercises. Highly recommended.
(10) The price! There are books published under Wiley at 3 to 4 times the price! under Springer Verlag for 2 to 3 times the price. Certain books are worth the money, but Cambridge University Press paperback publications, when written well, are exeptional values. I encourage the ambitious time series student to look at other time series books, including one written this year by Franses including Quantitative Models in Market Research.

All For The Best!: The Secret To Happiness is a picture book by Hans Wilhelm which is based upon a traditional Eastern folkstory. An old weaver stoically says that "It's all for the best" when one disaster after another befalls him - even when his grandson breaks his leg. Yet when the king's soldiers draft all able-bodied men in the town for war, his grandson is spared and the hidden bright side to seeming misfortune is revealed. A thoughtful tale and an important reminder to keep an upbeat outlook on life, All For The Best! would make an enduringly popular addition to any school and community library collection.

I am a Psychotherapist and work with adults, families and children. A large part of my practice is working with parents on parenting skills and helping parents encourage children to follow values that lead to happiness and fulfillment. I recently came across Hans Wilhelm's new book, All For the Best: The Secret to Happiness. This book teaches children to accept things "as the best" without reacting emotionally to what goes on and to maintain balance and stay focused on what they are doing -- primary values to happiness. The whimsical illustrations awaken the senses and highten the enjoyment. It's an excellent book to promote conversation with children on how to accept what comes, maintain balance and remain focused with the end result of happiness. As a therapist and grandparent, I recommend this book to any parent or grandparent to share with their children and grandchildren a message on how to be happy.

A really important message for children (and also for the rest of us), is not to get caught up in the fear or fuss in the minds of others but to keep our own balance, understanding that there is a perfection that exists behind appearances. This little book conveys that idea, as no other book for children does, to my knowledge. And this is particularly important today when fear has gotten so far out of control. I am planning to give copies of this book to the children in my family and in the families of my friends. Beautifully illustrated, simply told, the story will help them to establish a sense of tranquility and faith in the face of what appears to be terror and trauma.

This is a great resource and the presentation of material is excellent. Bill and Hans are part of the growing breed of speed climbers - people that have busy lives and search to do more in less time. Speed climbing brings more risk to the equation and this book helps one to make the right decisions in a wide variety of circumstances. Some may feel that speed climbing takes away from the "stop and smell the roses" attitude, but the truth is, when one learns to be efficient, there is more time available for relaxing activities. Or, as Bill and Hans do, more time to climb more routes. This book is a classic and is a cornerstone of instructional climbing literature. I read it cover to cover in 38 minutes and 43 seconds. Is that a record?

This is the definitive work of Speedclimbing from a paradoxical pair of authors. Hans Florine is the godfather of speed climbing - one of the early pioneers of the sport and a multiple record holder. Bill Wright is a weekend warrior, who finds a way to pursue his passion despite the constraints of a day job.

The book mixes three distinctive components - theory behind how to climb faster, practical hands on tips, and fireside annecdotes that will inspire you to get on the rock. The book will provide useful tips for the beginner and experienced climber alike.

Title of my review says it all.

Short stories are interspursed with unique, new, and useful knowledge on the art of squeezing more climbing out of your: day, weekend, or evening.

Amazon says this book is currently not available -- track a copy down through your library or an out of print book service because this book is GREAT!

I wish I'd had this book back when my oldest kids were apprehensive about the first day of school! In Dinofours: It's Time for School, Steven Metzger, a preschool teacher as well as an author, offers first timers and their parents gentle reassurance about that momentous event. Albert, a four year old dinosaur who acts just like the four year old in my house, isn't quite sure he wants to go to school. 'Mommy, will you stay with me at school?' asked Albert. 'I'll stay for awhile,' said Albert's mother. 'And then, when you're ready, I'll leave.' 'I'll never be ready.' Once inside the classroom, Albert meets his teacher, Mrs. Dee, and his classmates, who could have been modeled on the kids in my son's class last year. There's the boy who never met a stranger, the girl who grabs all the cookies, the kids who love to giggle during storytime. The classroom is pretty much like what my son experienced: a sand table, a playdough table, a dress-up area, an art center, a reading nook, and lots of bright colors and age-appropriate toys. When Albert starts to cry because he misses his mom, Mrs. Dee asks for his help in comforting a sad little doll. Later, when Brendan bursts into tears, Albert uses the same technique to comfort his new friend. Hans Wilhelm's illustrations capture the personality of each Dinofour. In the beginning of the book, Albert clings to his mother's leg, while Brendan zooms around the room from activity to activity. After story time, when the Dinofours spot their parents and caregivers waiting at the door to take them home, each little face is lit with sheer joy!

I read this book to my shy, sensitive very young 3 year old before she started Pre-K 3. When the big day came she blew me a kiss and said " see-ya later mom". I recommended it to many other moms with children starting Pre-K 3 and it had the same effect. I have purchased all of the Dinofour books. They are her favorites. They all have an excellent message and lesson to share.

Originally, I bought this book because it looked cute. What I didn't realize was the depth of feeling it would convey to my pre-school son. He had just switched schools and was experiencing many of the thoughts and feelings expressed by Albert and Brendan.

Since that time, we have purchased four more Dinofours books and plan to get the whole series!

This is a superb book, and the best way to first sample the delights of math for its own sake. Don't let the subtitle "Selections from Mathematics for the Amateur" turn you off. True, the math involved is elementary, not going beyond high school algebra and geometry. But the material won't be found in most textbooks, having been chosen with elegance and beauty, rather than utility, in mind (which isn't to say that it doesn't have its important uses). Even the professional mathematician who has already seen most of the contents will profit from studying the book's exemplary treatment of its topics. The authors are some of the best math expositors who have ever lived. Each idea in the book is developed admirably, and strikes the perfect balance between conciseness and lucidity. You probably can't do better in choosing an introduction to prime and perfect numbers, the four-color problem, regular polyhedra, Pythagorean triples, pedal triangles, periodic decimal fractions, Waring's problem, the number 30 (sic!), and many other fascinating intellectual tibdits.

At Dover's low price, this book is a great buy. Get it! If you have more mathematical knowledge, then I also recommend "Proofs from the Book" by Aigner, et al., which is written for mathematicians in a similar style.

Written by two top-notch mathematicians, requiring the mathematics that a high school student can do, this book takes you on a journey that is easy to follow and yet shows the power of mathematics. It is an excellent book for high school enrichement or early undergraduates.

Even if you are a mathematician you will be suprized at many of the results and enjoy trying to solve some of the problems. Many of the problems are quite hard. Even though some of the problems are the standard ones, many are off the beaten track. No matter what your level of expertise, I am sure you will enjoy this book.

I started my own tree-planting at about the same time the author did, in the early 70s, and I wish I had his insights. (I'm sure he wishes he had them then, too!) Not that it's ever too late. I'm going to gather some nuts this fall and try his direct seeding technique. I generally admire his independent approach. While I don't agree with everything he writes (he's a little too cavalier about the Lord!), I believe this book is one of the best around for the amateur landowner. It made me excited about my land again.

An easy and witty prose makes this book a welcome relief from other books on the subject. The extensive Index makes it easy to find subjects scattered across chapters.

A very comprehensive treatment of Direct Seeding, which is the low-cost approach to establishing a forest and very suitable to the small woodland owner.

The Economic Analysis chapter is quite useful and an eye opener.

This book will give you a second opinion on what is recommended by professional foresters and the DNR (Amazing fact: they are not always right !) Required reading for anybody that is looking into starting tree farming on a small scale.

"Common Sense Forestry" may be a unique concept on the silviculture shelves. It most certainly is a welcome rarity: both an entertaining read and a mother lode of basic, practical information.
Morsbach has selected with a critical eye items of conventional forestry gospel and subjected them to empirical scrutiny. The survivors of these tests, as well as his own ideas and those gleaned from his "Mavericks of Forestry" circle are included in this common sense (no nonsense) treatise on growing trees.
He seems to have given most ideas a fair look and a field test before he bestows his imprimatur. The many illustrations are well conceived and executed and are a helpful adjunct.
Morsbach offers strong arguments on biodiversity (imperative), clearcutting (a no-no), herbicides (a last resort) and the economics of it all.
I wish I could have read it during my woodland years, but it's here now to enjoy and benefit from. Thanks, Hans.

Don Mulcahy
Buffalo County, Wisconsin

After reading Dr. Holzar's book I was most impressed by the intellectual caliber of his writings. Its first class. He also raised and comparatively discussed the religious vs. straight science points of view concerning survival of biological death. He gives good advise on how to be skeptical and ask the right questions, have doubts where you should when dealing with psychic mediums. ( I just found one who was reading me through asking questions, but definately not communicating with the beyond)

I was amazed by how many chapters Dr. Holzar devoted to anecdotal stories his respondents had told. I found some of them, especially the spooky ones with faces inside orbs just a bit beyond the pale. Perhaps he should recognize, having a first rank mind and apparently some training in science, that such tales should be treated with the highest of skepticisms. For example he relates one tale of two teenage girls who for some undisclosed reason, decide to bunk in an old house over night. The girls are terrorized by alleged foot steps tramping up stairs. Later on a subsequent evening they get a boy friend to sleep down stairs while they again bunk up. The whole footstep scenario repeats.

Doc Holzar, have you never been a father of a teenager? Do you not know their fascination with such imaginary bumps in the night and hysterical need to tell frightful chilling stories? Not saying it didn't happen, but when folks tell such extraordinary tales, it needs extraordinary proof.
However, this soft spot in the book did not detract from its over all fine quality.
The Doc asks us to be skeptical, but I guess its a case of do as I say, not as I have done.

Dr. Holzer has been investigating paranormal incidents for over 30 years. In this book he presents his conclusions about the nature of life and death and what lies beyond. It is very well written, even scholarly at times. You may or may not agree with his ideas but I highly recommend that you read the book, it contains much food for thought.

Just because this book is written by Hans Holzer, doesn't mean it has to be good, but it IS! It is packed with fascinating information and stories. This man is a professional and it shows. His knowledge is vast on the subject, and if you want to learn something, read this book. No disappointments here, and it is priced very fairly for what you are getting. I was going to loan it to my sister, but since I don't want to part with it, I will buy her a copy! Enjoy!

This little, almost handsize book is a great reference tool for anyone that is a reeanctor or learning about soldier life and the rules of it. Completed in 1864, this book covers all camp duties, responsibilities, allowances, etc.. It simply covers privates, cavalry and officer roles and promotion procedures. I can't think of a better reference tool for a job description-like guide.

Since this book was written in the Civil War era, it is interesting to read things like, "In cases of 'excessive fatigue' or 'severe exposure', soldiers may receive one issue of whiskey of one gill per ration.

It simply doesn't get better for direct information about the Union army rules by the government. Besides being a great reference, this book can be quite entertaining as my previous paragraphed explained. ENJOY! 5 STARS!

This reprint of the 1865 Customs of Service is a great tool for researchers, re-enactors, or anyone who is interested in the way things were in the mid-1800 Army. Printed from the 2nd edition, it includes plenty of topics of interest.

Great idea to reprint this 1865 manual for the rank and file of the Civil War. I just purchased a copy and you won't be disappointed. The publisher's promise of the book being indispensable to historians and reenactors is dead accurate. As a reenactor it is refreshing to have a manual that details other aspects of the soldiers life and responsibilities beyond "The Manual of Arms"/School of the Soldier. The detailed descriptions and measurements will aid in enhancing a more accurate portrayal of the NCO or enlisted man and will give living history organizations new information to better educate and entertain the masses.