This book is one of the best woodworking books I have ever read on any topic. This book happens to be on wood finishes. Not only does the author tell you about various finishes and what they might be best for, but he tells you why! Not only does this extra information satisfy curiosity, but it helps you learn how to pick a finish even if your exact situation is not listed in the book.

The author provides helpfull tricks like how to tell if a can of finish is an oil or a varnish. (let some dry on a piece of glass and check the results). How to treat pine before staining to prevent blotches. He even revleas the ridiculous labeling practices of the finish makers that often make it hard to buy what you meant to buy. Did you know that many rubbing oils are varnishes, not pure oils?!?

The author has clearly studied the science of finishing. He explains the whys and hows with enough detail for an engineer like me without overly complicating matters. The pictures are helpfull and well done.

This book is definetely on my "must have" list for any woodworker. I just can't say enough good about this book.

A friend loaned me a copy of this book when I was trying to figure how to stain a cherry cabinet without the typical splotchy results one usually gets with this difficult-to-stain wood. This book not only addressed that problem, it gave several techniques to deal with it. Flexner even explained why different brands of stain would have different results. I was so impressed I bought my own copy. No other book I've seen does such a great job of explaining the technical aspects of how finishes work, and what protection each kind of finish provides, while keeping the text easy to follow and understand. This makes it a great book for learning about the many different stains and wood finishes.

Plus, it is more comprehensive than other wood finishing books I've seen. It explains in detail the different application techniques, when and how to use them. There are plenty of helpful illustrations, including color photo examples of different stains and finishes on various woods. So it is a great reference source when working on a particular project and trying to decide the best finish or application technique to use.

I keep looking for other books on wood finishing that would add to what is in this book. But I haven't come across any yet.

This book is a GREAT place to start your journey into wood finishing.

Bob starts by systematically explaining the logic and science behind different types of finish, including oils (varnish "oils" too, polyurethane and such), shellac, lacquer, conversion, waterbase, waxes, and more.

He also explains application methodology IN DEPTH, such as, french polishing, brushing, spraying.

He explains shaping tools (these include scrapers with sharpening methods, spokeshave devices, steel wools, rubbing compounds, sandpapers (all types)) and how to use them to achieve results.

He then goes in depth into suggestions for different woods, limited exotics and many domestics, as well as good rule of thumb's.

Main positives to this book: Mr. Flexner has given in depth and yet layman's explanations of how finishes work and the chemicals involved. This is integral to applying a good finish, in my opinion. This book could stand alone as everything a fledgling finisher needs to tackle any project.

Main negatives: Mr. Flexner is very informative and systematic. That said, he is obviously not a writer by trade. You WILL find yourself treating this as a reference book, its not a "sunday read" for the woodworking inclined. Several times (not many, but a couple) he contradicts himself (there is a passage that "debunks" the myth of better protection from thicker film build of a finish, and then later he suggests building the finish to a thicker film for "better protection...")

These negative in my opinion NO way detract from the book. It is an incredible reference tool for the amateur, and marks a necessary item for the professional finisher's bookshelf.

JTAcoustics

The most enjoyable golf you can play is effortless and pressure free. "Doc" Rotella's "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect" has literally liberated me from myself. I was definitely in my own way, halting my own progress. My swing coach brought me from a 35 handicap to a 16 handicap in two summers. Doc brought me down to a 10 handicap in six weeks, and I am still improving. Two key facets in the book grabbed me. First is, "The best swing thought is no swing thought!" This was riveting and when I finally let go and trust my swing, the ball went longer and straighter. Consistency and lower scores were the result. The second facet dealt with putting. Doc emphasized "When you land the green, hole the put, no matter the distance!" What a confidence and result booster!! My goal was to become a single digit handicapper by the end of summer 2001. I still have three weeks to lose one stroke and achieve my goal. I am convinced it will happen. On June 26th, I had a milestone. After reading Doc's book, I shot my first ever and only sub-par round of 35 for nine holes on a par 36 executive course here in Indianapolis. I had a playing partner and asked him to sign the card. It is now framed and sitting in my office. That was fun. Thanks Doc!! -Gary in Indianapolis.

As a 7 handicap trying to figure out how to shave those extra strokes off to get into the low single digit territory this was a nice surprise which helped to complete my library of essential golf books.

the seminal work on golf (and perhaps) sports psychology from Dr. Bob Rotella. The book works on a number of levels as follows: #1. as a rare and excellent guide on how to prepare oneself mentally for the game and how to remained focused during a match; #2. as a series of anecdotal chapters covering a number of the game's top name players and how they are using Rotella's straight forward and insightful techniques to play better golf; #3. as an instructional piece and #4. as a guide for getting the most out of your practises.

Any one of the above would make it good, all 4 in combination make it a must have for golfers at all levels.

(ps I'd also recommend as essential golf reading Jack Nicklaus's "Golf My Way," Tom Watson's "Getting It Up and Down from 40 Yards and In" and, of course, Harvey Penick's "Little Red Book)

This is an outstanding book filled with common sense, wit and wisdom from a true student and lover of the game: Bob Rotella. Rotella books have been a big factor in me bringing my handicap down from 20 to 3 over the last three years. Rotella uses stories to illustrate his ideas and concepts, making them easier to remember and understand. Much more entertaining than do this, don't do that type instruction. Great instruction for life as well as golf, especially his ideas on pursuing your dreams, hard work and overcoming obstacles. This book is great for competitive golfers and recreational golfers. Rotella teaches you to love and enjoy the process of improving and playing regardless of results for that given day. One of the hardest aspects of this book to implement is his suggestion that if you are not spending 90 percent of your practice time on shots from a 100 yards and in, you are not practicing to become the best player you can be. Yet he is correct. The more I pracice the scoring shots, the better I get. This is a book that every golfer should read.

it's amazing to read a story where the female character is neither a super hero or victum. This book is a real page turner that keeps you waiting for what is next. The action is real and puts right in the cockpit and on the flight deck. I'm holding on for a sequel!

it is refreshing to read about a woman who is not a victum or superwoman. The flying stories really put the reader in the cockpit, even those of us that have never flown. The indiviual characters in the book are real and believable, not caricatures. Ever body believes in what they are doing and it's left to the reader to decide who are the bad guys.

This is a real page turner that keeps you interested from start to finish. It's time for this author to get a sequel out!!! It really is that good!

I've just finished Check Six and enjoyed every bit of it. I just got my private pilot certificate a few months ago, at age 61, so it isn't likely that I'll ever get a chance to try landing on a carrier--though I'd like to!--but I think I got a good taste of what it must feel like while reading the book. I don't know if Bob fNorris is flying again, but if not, he can at least be assured that the vicarious flying he's doing in his writing means something to me and, I'm sure, to his other readers. I'll pass the book on to my flight instructor, a 25 year old, who also likes reading--or maybe to his boss, Becky. (You'll understand the Becky part when you read the book.) --Don Maxwell

I'll never look at things the same again! What a tour defarce! Then, just as I finish your book, the same day speaking onNPR is the Australian woman (name...Helen...Caldicott? I can't remember) about how the nuclear arsenal has to be de-couled or Y2K will be the end of the world. Well, between the two of you you've made an activist of me. I'm going to be getting involved in this...I'm damn scared! I'll also be recommending the book. Bravo!

I was so excited to get Bob Bridges that I promptly dropped Ethan Coen's book and started reading it that day at the beach. The writing is wonderful. I find the style a cross between Kurt Vonnegut and Douglas Adams. (I wracked my brains for similar female writers but came up with a blank.)

I got as far as page 18 before I started panicking. Really panicking, right there on the beach. My whole life I've had post-apocalyptic nightmares, nightmares about surviving and nightmares about not surviving. As a kid I was obsessed with the arms race and scoured the outdated encyclopedia in my school library to read about civil defense shelters. I even had a Y2K nightmare sometime in the early 70's, sobbing to my father that I was afraid of the year 2000. (Of course if I'd known I'd be nearly 50% gray before my 35th birthday, I would have cried all the harder.)

So I put down the book. My husband and I walked up and down the beach and he tried to reassure me that it's a work of fiction. But I spent the next few days answering every situation with, "Who gives a rat's ass? The world is ending in five months anyway." Eventually I realized that life will go on -- that the Pentagon big wigs care too much about themselves to let the world blow up -- and that, yes, I was reading fiction.

I don't know if I can finish reading the book. I'm going to try. But in the meantime, I'm recommending it to everyone I know -- with writing so powerful that it scared the wits out of me, it's a book that deserves to be read by stomachs stronger than mine.

I'll never look at things the same again! What a tour de farce!!!!! Then, just as I finish your book, the same day speaking on NPR is the Australian woman (name...Helen..Caldicott??? I can't remember) about how the nuclear arsenal has to be de-coupled or Y2K will be the end of the world. Well, between the two of you you've made an activist of me. I'm going to be getting involved in this...I'm damn scared!!!! I'll also be recommending the book. Bravo!

I have been a Christian for 15 years and my faith has been a heavy burden for me for so long and I never understood why. Peace and joy were only words to me. I assumed that I just had not yet achieved "authentic Christianity" and that I had to work to achieve that level before I could know those things that God promises. Boy, was I off base. Bob George's book literally changed my life (and I don't use that phrase liberally or lightly). It showed me the true gospel message that I had been missing for so long. For the first time in my depressed life, God lifted the blackness and I knew what peace and rest meant. I now know more about what salvation REALLY means: true life on earth not just biding our time until we get to heaven. The Lord meets you where you are. Thank God for that AND for Bob George's book. A must read for anyone looking for rest in their faith.

This title is the second one I have read by Bob George. After reading "Faith that Pleases God" and being disappointed, I wanted to read his best-selling work. Now I understand why so many people have shown interest in this particular author.

George addresses a problem that is all too prevalent in Christian circles today: legalism. Far too many people have found salvation through faith in Christ alone, only to be enslaved by a long list of religious duties and spiritual obligations. George brings his readers back to the Scriptural basics here. He repeatedly makes the point that God saves us and KEEPS us saved through grace alone.

I recommend this book highly to all Christians, especially those believers from conservative or fundamentalist backgrounds. George proclaims God's Biblical truth about salvation and sanctification. In doing so, he sets his readers free.

... Bob George doesn't have exclusive access to the truths he illustrates in his book. A Christian doesn't have to read this book to realize the abundant life he or she has in Christ Jesus.

So why do I recommend this book so highly? Mainly because I believe that God has blessed Bob with an incredible ability to communicate spiritual messages to others. He certainly communicated those messages to me. Classic Christianity had a major impact on my life. Before reading this book, I was steeped in religion. I was brought up to believe that "God helps those who help themselves." Only later in life did I learn that the Bible never actually said that, Benjamin Franklin did. So everything I did as a Christian I did out of my own effort, trying to repay God a little for what He did for me by sending His Son to die on the cross. Oh sure, I sometimes asked God to help me when things were going a little rough, but I never considered asking anything of Him when situations were going well or my problems seemed manageable.

I certainly didn't ask for God's help when I read the Bible, and this is why I never came to the conclusions Bob did until after reading Classic Christianity. Bob consistently returns to the scriptures while making his points. He helped me to realize the importance, rather the necessity of relying upon the Holy Spirit for guidance through ALL parts of my life. Once I started to let the Holy Spirit take control of my life, I began to see the Bible from an entirely new vantage point. Everything started to make sense.

Bob's book does exactly what every Christian book should. It leads us back to our relationship with Jesus. Once there, we can receive truth right from the source of truth. Having reread most of the New Testament after reading Classic Christianity, I truly believe that the points made in Classic Christianity are valid. But don't take Bob George's word for it and certainly don't take mine. Read this book and then compare it to the Bible yourself. See if it doesn't have as big of an impact on your relationship with Jesus as it had on mine.

Once you've read any of Joe Vitale's marketing books, you are hooked - AND - they are all worth it. I started out as an engineer, so marketing doesn't come easy. But Joe "Mr. Fire" Vitale is helping me to think like a marketer. His proactive style really mixes well with mine; I think he has a knack for writer to each person as if you happen to be the one he intended the book for. Joe has written the perfect book for those of us who want our major purpose in life to be in harmony with God's plans!

Needless to say Spiritual Marketing is already playing a huge role in helping me to be a successful writer. Ever since reading the first book of Joe's, I have considered him to be a success mentor. His wisdom is easy to follow - but more than that, it is right on! I guarantee that if you read Spiritual Marketing you will have tons of marketing ideas for marketing your business and yourself so that you feel congruent with life - it's that incredible.

In his books and tapes, Joe always covers all of the proactive bases: smart thinking, system thinking, futuristic thinking, and positive thinking. If you are truly seeking the kind of success and abundance that makes your life 100% livable - you must read this book. Some of the ideas Joe promotes are found in SUCCESS BOUND, another book built on learning how to live a proactive life that is God centered and fulfilling.

My recommendation to you is, take a few minutes each day and ponder the wisdom and truths of this book and let them seep deep into your subconscious mind. Then, move out confidently towards fulfilling your dreams and goals, knowing you are one with the Creator and are truly success bound.

I have spent the day reading Spiritual Marketing by Joe Vitale.

Have you ever been frantically searching for your favorite pen or glasses and you're tearing your house apart searching and swearing and the harder you look, the more frustrated you get? The more you do the less ground you cover? Then you look in the mirror and your glasses have been on your face all along or your pen is in the other hand as you've been lifting things? LOL (yes, I've done that)

Well that's the experience I had with this book.

I have read other personal development books, money books you name it, I've probably read it...but suddenly, after searching for the answer to what exactly was blocking me.

Why would I come so close and stop myself whenever I had a goal, especially money-goals?

Then a light went on in my head! I felt a physical shift inside of me while reading and doing the simple exercises that Joe describes in his book.

I started writing about my present negative condition that I was having with money and all of a sudden, it was as if I was in a tunnel and my hand and mind were just on their own. Honestly, I didn't even see the paper I was writing on.

Like an onion, layer after layer my negative feelings came out and I realized that I knew EXACTLY what was blocking me from getting to the next level in money matters and in life. With each feeling that I wrote about another deeper layer was uncovered until something in my mind and body said "Eureka" that's it! All of a sudden the "lights" came back on and I felt 1,000 pounds lighter. I felt the feelings I've been trying not to remember and was able to release them. I felt all the pain and anger go right out of me - for real. I truly thought I had done that, but had "forgotten" about the real anger and fear that I was carrying that was buried deeply inside of my heart and mind, stopping me from moving forward.

I was shaking and light and greatful and at the same time felt so receptive to everything good that the universe has been waiting to give me that I've been stopping. I don't know how to explain it. It's like I've been walking around in the dark for years without realizing it. I felt as if I was looking at my living room for the first time ever. I felt the goodness of the universe just surround me and realized that I was the one blocking it from surrounding me in the first place.

But that's not it. I went back to my office checked my e-mail and I had two people join my team. One that I've never met and the other that I spoke to briefly and set up an appt w/ for today, but she e-mailed me and said that she just felt compelled to join right away. Then my phone rang and it was my sponsor who felt compelled to place someone under me. He said he was talking to a woman and as he was getting ready to sign her up, he thought of me and gave her my referral number instead of his. Then I got a call from someone that I spoke to about 2 months ago and he told me that he would be signing up today. My phone did not stop ringing until about 9pm last night. No one was pukey. The goal I had set up for myself a few weeks ago was reached without my struggling. Wow! Thank you, Universe!

I have always believed in miracles, after all, my daughter is a miracle, but when I prayed for her to live, I also promised that I would never ask for anything else. I would gladly give up ever wanting anything else. I blocked myself from recieving. I now realize that the universe doesn't keep a tab. It will keep giving as long as I allow it to.

I feel as if my life will never be the same again. If you haven't read this book, please do so right away.

Irene
There are no coincidences :-)

"This wonderful little book came into my hands just at a time when I had lost my way a little. I needed some guidance and here it was in this great little book. I say little book because it is something you can read in an evening but it is so powerfully packaged with such useful information. Joe has really got the essence of this book right and I thank him for helping me short circuit the learning curve. It also has some wonderful exercises to use. These enhance the message in the book. I like the way he referred to all the people that were influential in helping him change his life so that people can contact them direct. It expresses the true message of spirituality where we are all here to help each other. Thank you Joe for putting the words together so well and so simply." Leigh Kelly - Auckland New Zealand

I learned so much about snow geese from this book and even a lot about Canada geese. I learned about equipment, where to and when to hunt geese, decoys and decoy placements, finding the right field to set up in, blinds and concealment, where to hunt and when to be there and even receipes.

There are a lot of snow geese that come thru our area and I am just learning how to try to get them. After reading this book, I have a lot to learn. The book tells you not to use the TEXAS RAG and that is what I have been using. No wonder I didn't get any geese in 1999. I also layed in the decoy spread dressed in white and that is another stupid thing to do. I would recommend this book to all beginners like me.

The book was a good investment and I will recommend it to all goose hunters that chase that wary snow goose. There was a lot of good things in the book that will help me get more snow geese this season. My wife enjoyed the receipe section and the geese we eat taste a lot better! Thank you - Amazon.Com

Once a child knows the basic letter sounds, he or she is ready for Bob books! I have 6 kids, and we homeschool. I used other books for my 2 oldest, but my son Alex began reading with Bob Books. He loves them!

They are written at a perfect gradient, beginning with 3-letter, short vowel sound words. They are written just as I would have written them!

I do wish the books were larger in size (not more pages, just bigger pages) and the pictures are just drawings - no color. An improvement of better, more colorful pictures and larger pages would get a 5-star vote from me.

These are great tools, and I recommend them for every beginning reader.

I teach first grade and also have a grown son; I use (d) the Bob books with all of my children. Many educators advocate big books in our current educational trends, but if you really want to guarantee a child's attention, use little books. Most children absolutely adore them! The Bob books are special because they really are written on a young child's level. I always have the "literary" quality books that are recommended for today's classroom, but my kids always want the Bob books or the little books I make for them. They also prefer the simple words, illustrations (Bob's are simple line drawings), and themes. Why? Because they are definitely written for children rather than adults who think that you are not providing a good education for children unless they have high quality literature in their hands. But, I ask you, parents and teachers, how valuable is it to have a cat named Aristotle or Aristophenes(sp?..who cares! at this age!) when you can name the characters Sam, or Matt, or Spot. The point is, reading should be easy to learn, not mind boggling. Get these Bob books! Get them all! And make up your own, as well. Then you will have your kids reading.....and just as important..........loving it! What age do you begin? Before they are born, in my opinion, as long as you are not "forcing" it on them. If you read to them as early as their entry into the world, and show that you enjoy it, reading will be as second nature to your children as anything else that you value.

The Bob Books are great to use for a beginning reader. Most "beginning" books include a number of sight words. The Bob Books start with very simple words and very short stories. My son did not feel frustrated trying to accomplish reading the book since it introduced only a few sounds at a time.

Grownups may feel the books are too basic. However, that is exactly what I was looking for to help my son learn to read. They were great at building my son's self-esteem and his reading progress has really taken off.

If you're tired of hassling with uncooperative people in your life, READ THIS BOOK! Easy to read and practical, this book explains the lost art of "positive persuasion" and how it can make daily communication with service people, business associates, friends, enemies and even LOVED ONES more effective and more fun. Using amusing anecdotes you can relate to, the author shows how we can avoid the stress of negative no-win confrontations and get, as he puts it "what you want, when you want it, and from whom you want it." He believes we can create a win/win situation every time we face a brick wall of resistance or just a disagreeable human, if we learn and practice his simple tips. Instead of manipulation, the rules of pos. persuasion consider the egos and effects on all parties, giving the keys to a satisfying outcome for everybody. No argueing, no threats, no sweat! Burg combines good manners and good sense with a few neat tricks and tips to! remind us of our often-lost humanity, and the easy things we can do in our daily life to make it less stressful, more productive, and much more fun.

I have read the book by Bob Burg and found it to be the most helpful tool for positive living. This is a must for dealing with people in today's world. It is easily read and explains why the techniques are necessary and gives clear examples of how they can be used in your everyday life. I attended a conference, where Bob Burg did an excellent presentation, at The Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids MI. He personifies his book.

The star system isn't adequate in this case. There aren't enough of them!

Dale Carnegie will be making room at the table of "Winning" for Bob Burg. Pull up your chair Bob. This book is excellent!
It is litterally packed with techniques for living a more fulfilled, positive life. It will change your views on many day to day situations by giving you many real world examples of using the techniques.

I enjoyed this book so much that I did a search for his website, www.bburg.com, and found that he offers a free weekly e-mail newsletter to keep the techniques and examples fresh in my mind. I also bought the companion cassette tape program!

I guess you can tell that I would HIGHLY recommend you read this book. Reading it will make your part of the world a better place and, after all, that is really what winning is all about.

I like books that tell a story, use examples and create benefits that is I can use. "Beans: Four Principles for Running a Business in Good Times or Bad" is that kind of book!

The authors choose the "Ps" of Passion, People, Personnel and Product. They lead us through the success of Jack and Diane's coffee shop. It is an easy read. It will urge you to understand your workplace journey. It doesn't matter if you are an employer or the employee.

"Beans" is a journey from employment for a major airline (working for money), the unfulfilled entrepreneur step of self-employment selling martinis, and arriving at a passion for selling a cup of coffee. The realization that the "Ps" of Passion, People or Personnel will not make up for a quality Product leads Jack to develop the "best" cup of coffee! It takes all 4!

If you liked "Fish!" - you will like "Beans."

You might like to buy extra copies and give them to your personnel!

Every time I think there are too many of these fable books out there, along comes one that totally charms me. This one starts with a great story but it was the four principles that really grabbed me. Though they may seem basic to some people, I think it's always good to be reminded of how important it is to stick to the basics of treating people right and running an honest business. The characters seem like real people (are they?) and really captivated me from the very beginning. Jack Hartman is a natural-born leader. Would that there were more out there like him!

These fable/parable books would not be so maligned if they had believable characters (like this one), great stories (like this one) and real lessons that can be used in your own company (like this one). I have been having problems with one of my team leaders (his attitude stinks) and I gave him this book with nothing more than a "please read this and see if others in the company might learn something from it." He came back two days later and said, "You're right, Anne. I think we should use it as the basis for a staff meeting discussion" -- never even guessing I meant for it to improve HIS own attitude! He's been walking around smiling, saying hello to everybody, and calling customers we haven't been in touch with for months. I think this book can be a real motivating factor in improving morale and attitude.