The CD ROM came with this book is great. The violin acompanied by piano is beautiful and it really encourages my daughter to play. It is great for beginners.

Voice Of The Blues gathers many lengthy interviews with pioneering bluesmen under one cover, revealing their life and times and an unusual participation in a dialogue over the history and directions of the blues music genre. These interviews first appeared in the pages of Living Blues magazine and here have been reprinted for the first time in book form.

This book shows step-by-step pictures of everything from the most common swimming strokes to how to put on swim goggles. It is a good book for developing a strong foundation for competitive swimming skills, and it is easy to understand, even by non-readers.

This is an outstanding book and should be required reading for anyone who manages people or who is getting started in their career and will manage in the future. In addition to providing terrific insights into the art and science of leadership, the book serves as an excellent roadmap for those who want to improve their leadership skills and that of their management team. In addition to their extensive research and powerful discussions on what makes great leaders, the book is an absolute delight to read. Kouzes and Posner's command of the language and easy readability, along with their very relevant case studies and analyses, can help all of us improve our leadership skills and develop more effective organizations.

I recently re-read this brilliant book before proceeding to Kouzes and Posner's more recently published Encouraging the Heart. I highly recommend both and suggest that they be read in the order in which they were written. Those of us who presume to review books such as this one can merely indicate their breadth and depth of substance as well as their stimulation of thought about the material presented. For example, Kouzes and Posner identify what they call "five leadership practices common to successful leaders" and then suggest ten "behavioral commitments" among those leaders studied. Here they are:

Practice: Challenge the process
Commitments: (1) Search for opportunities and (2) Experiment and take risks

Practice: Inspire a shared vision
Commitments: (3) Envision the future and (4) Enlist others

Practice: Enable others to act
Commitments: (5) Foster collaboration and (6) Strengthen others

Practice: Model the way to the desired objectives
Commitments: (7) Set the example and (8) Plan small wins

Practice: Encourage the heart of everyone involved
Commitments: (9) Recognize individual contribution and (10) Celebrate accomplishments

Those who conduct "360 Feedback" programs could do much worse than to base evaluations on criteria suggested by these practices and commitments. They provide the thematic infrastructure of the material which Kouzes and Posner present within seven Parts. The first introduces key concepts and terms: "Knowing What Leadership Is Really All About." Each of Parts Two-Six is devoted to one of the five Practices. Kouzes and Posner conclude with Part Seven, "The Beginning of Leadership', followed by two appendices which enable the reader to complete "The Personal Best Questionnaire" before reviewing "The Leadership Practices Inventory."

There are dozens of outstanding books on leadership and this is one of the best. I am especially impressed by the balance Kouzes and Posner maintain throughout between theory and practice. More specifically, they introduce and explain various core concepts and then draw upon real-world situations to illustrate those concepts. Obviously, "Encouraging the Heart" (Part Six) introduces ideas which Pouzes and Posner develop in much greater depth in a sequel volume which bears the same name. They conclude this book as follows: "We have said that leaders take us to places we have never been before. But there are no freeways to the future, no paved highways to unknown, unexplored destinations. There is only wilderness. If you are to step into the unknown, the place to begin is with the exploration of the inner territory." Those who agree (as do I) with these final remarks are urged to check out David Maister's Practice What You Preach, Tim Sanders' Love Is the Killer App, David Whyte's The Heart Aroused, and Larry Davis' Pioneering Organizations.

I just finished this book and wanted to pass on my opinion while the iron is hot and before I go on to another book on leadership. "The Leadership Challenge" is an outline of the practical basics of what has come to be called "leadership". While I think the authors did a fine job of imparting the messages for which the book was intended, they did not (like all the other how-to books on leadership) get their arms around understanding just exactly what leadership actually is. The terms "leader" and "leadership" have come to be slippery and lightly used in our society. But, in all honesty, I think that dealing with understanding leadership is slightly beyond the purposes for which this book was intended, and, for its intended purposes, I highly recommend this book.
(I also recommend "West Point: Character Leadership.." by Remick, if you want to get your arms around what "leadership" is)

Miracle on the 17th Green is about a man in his earlyn50s that is married with three kids. He has always played golf from the age of nine with his grandpa. He stopped thinking about going pro when he meet his wife after high school. He has been playing lately and has found his edge again. He tries out for the PGA senior tour and makes it. Going along, he finally wins a big game and his wife talks to him about a divorce. When he wen't to Pebble Beach he was in the top five for a long time and then made the final three. On the final round on the green of the 17th hole, he walked up to Sara, his wife, and gave her the biggest ring she had ever seen. He then won the champian ship and kept playing for years to come.
Travis Mckinley, the main character, is a dynamie kind of character. He changes during the novel from not caring to loving, caring person. He is patiently in love with the game and his wife.
I thought the book was very good because I like golf and this kind of attitude. The book has a lot about his life growing up and how much he likes to play.
I would recommend this book to people that like golf and about people's lives. Also people who like sports would like this.

This is the first James Patterson book that I have read. Soon I will start the Alex Cross series, but after reading some of the great classics of English Literature I needed an entertaining break. This 150 page story was perfect. I liked it for the same reasons that I liked John Grisham's Skipping Christmas. It was so REAL. Travis McKinley reminded me of so many people that I have known in my life and even a little bit of me. I'm also a big fan of the first person narrative. It will only take you three or four hours, but it's as good or better than any summer movie or book out there. Have fun. Oh and I'm not a golfer, this story can be enjoyable for everyone, even those with a very minimal understanding of the game of golf.

Miracle on the 17th green is a book that you can read in one sitting partly because it's only 150 pages and partly because it is so good. Miracle on the 17th green is an inspirational, entertaining, and sometimes very funny book. I didn't really expect it to be funny since Patterson has never shown that he can be humorous but nevertheless it was. You don't have to know a lot about golf to like and understand this book. It would help though because Patterson adds some real life golfers into the story but you don't have to know the ins and outs of the game to understand. I am surprised that Patterson wrote this book since it is very different than his normal plots of serial killers but he pulls it off. I am sure this is sort of an autobiography for Patterson because he does like to play golf and he has probably always wanted to get his sense of humor into his books but never has found a way. Miracle on the 17th green is a great book and will bring a lot of inspiration into your day or maybe into the rest of your life. 5 Stars

Imagine yourself in a court room accused of a Felony Murder and the worst part is you didn't do it!This is what happened to a 16 year old named Steve Harmon.He is the main character of the book. The main people thought to be participants in the robbery were Steve Harmon, James king, Osvaldo, and Richard "Bobo" Evans. King, Bobo and Osvaldo planned to rob a store. King told Bobo that Steve was the look out, but evidently Steve didn't want to be. Before the the robbery Steve walked out of the store and didn't say anything to them, so they went in to the store, thinking that everything was clear. They started arguing with Mr. Nesbitt and then told him to give them the money in the register. Then Mr. Nesbitt pulled out a gun on King. King took it from him and shot him. They took the money and some cigarettes. When they got caught they ratted on Steve to get an easier sentence. Steve's lawyer was a woman refered to as Miss O'Brien, Kings lawyer was a person named Briggs, and the people's prosecutor was a person named Petrocelli. The three lawyers continue to battle over who is innocent for a long period. Then Steve spends another night in prison. He mainly thinks about the crime and how he is innocent. The night before the trial, Steve can't sleep, waiting for the next day to come. He thinks about the decisions that he has made. The next day Steve waits for the jury's verdict. The jury finds Steve Harmon.... This book is a pretty good book. It's kind of hard to keep up with, but it's is still a good book. I recommend you read it.

Review of Monster
By Walter Dean Myers

I have just finished reading Monster by Walter Dean Myers. This book is definitely a must read for any young adult or adult for that matter. I picked it up and did not put it down until I finished the whole thing. This book tells the story of Steve Harmon, a sixteen year old on trial for murder. The format for this book is a screenplay. Although the screenplay format at first was hard to get used to, once you do get acclimated to the format the book really flows. I think the format actually helps the audience see Steve's attempt to separate himself from the reality of his actions. Throughout the book he is searching for his identity-he is struggling with the label of monster. Even though he wants to believe that he is a normal kid he is faced with the consequences of his actions.

I think that this book would be wonderful for young people to read because it shows them how just hanging around the wrong people can get you into trouble. It also shows them the reality of how fast your life can change based on bad decisions you make. I also believe that this book shows, without being too graphic, the bleakness and darkness surrounding a jail and to know that jail is not a place they want to be.
Overall, I give this book 4 stars. It is a quick, easy read that has a lot of lessons to teach us all about the consequences of our choices and the torment and guilt associated with labels. I encourage everyone who has the chance to read this book.

The first person point of view of this book was very effective. Walter Dean-Meyers presented this book in a very creative way. The story, as told from the view point of Steve, is told in a movie type dialogue, using movie directors terminology.
The plot development is gradual. The reader gathers more information as the trial continues, however, the author does a great job of swaying your thoughts on the outcome of the trial. The author also does a great job with the characterization of each character involved in the trial, as well as those in the jail setting. You feel as if you really know these characters.

The only problem I found with the book that kept it from getting 5 stars was the abbreviations Steve used such as CU for close-up or MS for Mug shot. I had trouble decoding these words at first which slowed me down as I was reading.

I really think this is a great book for young adults. This book deals with self-identity as well as the importance of chosing proper peer relationships. I think many young adults will be able to identify in one way or another with Steve.

This second installment of The Christ Clone Trilogy, "Birth of an Age," by James BeauSeigneur, begins with an already changing world on the brink of a New Age. And to put it succinctly, this book-- the story as well as the presentation-- is, in a word, brilliant. BeauSeigneur takes you down his path with such precision that it makes the incredible seem altogether credible and believable, and considering the subject matter, it is quite a feat, indeed.

In the prologue (which is actually the final chapter of the first book of the trilogy, "In His Image"), BeauSeigneur brings you up to speed on the story, as the significant elements of that first book are touched upon here. He also acquaints you with the protagonists, former journalist Decker Hawthorne, now a press secretary for the U.N., Robert Milner, a former Ambassador to the U.N.; and Ambassador Christopher Goodman, the man cloned some thirty years earlier from the dermal cells of Jesus, taken from the Shroud of Turin by scientists during an expedition in 1978.

What makes this such an engrossing read (and it is-- thoroughly), is the detail, precision and logic with which BeauSeigneur presents his story. Approximately the first one-third of the book is a detailed account of the cataclysms which befall the Earth and it's inhabitants, and the devastating effects thereof. It begins with the discovery of three asteroids whose trajectory may bring them into contact with the Earth, which threatens the very existence of the planet; but there are also plagues and widespread madness called down upon the people of the Earth, many believe, by two religious fanatics-- one of whom claims to be the Apostle, John.

It soon becomes clear that if life on Earth is to survive, if there is ever to be a New Age at all, it must be through the intervention of someone or something which can prevail against the forces of the devastation currently ravaging the planet. And it just may be that Christopher Goodman, the clone of Jesus Christ, could be the one; it could, perhaps, be the reason for which he was born.

And once BeauSeigneur has laid the groundwork, which he does with exceptional acuity, the novel picks up steam until finally, after about two-thirds of the way through, it becomes impossible to put the book down. The last thirty pages or so are absolutely spellbinding; it is inspired writing through which the images presented spring vividly to life and veritably awaken the senses. And you experience the sights and sounds, colors and scents as if you were actually there, right up to the somewhat shocking, breathtaking finale.

Realizing the full impact of all that happens, of course, is contingent upon having read the first book of the series. "Birth of an Age," however, stands well enough on it's own, especially in light of the astounding ending. But be prepared; once you have finished this one, you won't be able to get to the final installment, "Acts of God," quickly enough. Have it on hand and ready to read, because-- believe me-- you're going to have to know what happens next. And you are not going to want to wait.

This second installment of The Christ Clone Trilogy, "Birth of an Age," by James BeauSeigneur, begins with an already changing world on the brink of a New Age. And to put it succinctly, this book-- the story as well as the presentation-- is, in a word, brilliant. BeauSeigneur takes you down his path with such precision that it makes the incredible seem altogether credible and believable, and considering the subject matter, it is quite a feat, indeed.

In the prologue (which is actually the final chapter of the first book of the trilogy, "In His Image"), BeauSeigneur brings you up to speed on the story, as the significant elements of that first book are touched upon here. He also acquaints you with the protagonists, former journalist Decker Hawthorne, now a press secretary for the U.N., Robert Milner, a former Ambassador to the U.N.; and Ambassador Christopher Goodman, the man cloned some thirty years earlier from the dermal cells of Jesus, taken from the Shroud of Turin by scientists during an expedition in 1978.

What makes this such an engrossing read (and it is-- thoroughly), is the detail, precision and logic with which BeauSeigneur presents his story. Approximately the first one-third of the book is a detailed account of the cataclysms which befall the Earth and it's inhabitants, and the devastating effects thereof. It begins with the discovery of three asteroids whose trajectory may bring them into contact with the Earth, which threatens the very existence of the planet; but there are also plagues and widespread madness called down upon the people of the Earth, many believe, by two religious fanatics-- one of whom claims to be the Apostle, John.

It soon becomes clear that if life on Earth is to survive, if there is ever to be a New Age at all, it must be through the intervention of someone or something which can prevail against the forces of the devastation currently ravaging the planet. And it just may be that Christopher Goodman, the clone of Jesus Christ, could be the one; it could, perhaps, be the reason for which he was born.

And once BeauSeigneur has laid the groundwork, which he does with exceptional acuity, the novel picks up steam until finally, after about two-thirds of the way through, it becomes impossible to put the book down. The last thirty pages or so are absolutely spellbinding; it is inspired writing through which the images presented spring vividly to life and veritably awaken the senses. And you experience the sights and sounds, colors and scents as if you were actually there, right up to the somewhat shocking, breathtaking finale.

Realizing the full impact of all that happens, of course, is contingent upon having read the first book of the series. "Birth of an Age," however, stands well enough on it's own, especially in light of the astounding ending. But be prepared; once you have finished this one, you won't be able to get to the final installment, "Acts of God," quickly enough. Have it on hand and ready to read, because-- believe me-- you're going to have to know what happens next. And you are not going to want to wait.

If you like the Left Behind Series you will want to read James BeauSeigneur's The Christ Clone Trilogy. This series has been reprinted and copies are available. Mr. BeauSeigneur wrote this series several years ago and the series continues to gain popularity. He educates the reader and after you read the 3 book series you use the material as a reference for addressing biblical passages. The books are full of footnotes and the scholarship is inspiring. Read and enjoy this book series.

A dozen linked episodes form the return of Socrates Fortlow, the 60ish ex-con who first appeared in Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned. Of course, when the main character is named Socrates, you shouldn't be surprised when his story turns out to be a metaphor. Socrates is a man whose daily life is suffused with his past (he spent 27 years in jail for murdering two friends), and is engaged in a constant struggles break free of that past and try and live somewhat normally in the Watts ghetto he calls home. He's cautious and tentative about new opportunities and options before him, seeing traps and pitfalls in every deviation from his simple, spartan life. It's not difficult to see how Mosley is using Socrates to embody disenfranchised black men everywhere and give voice to their (and his) own inner conflicts as black men in contemporary society.

Central to this is anger'a theme that pervades not only Socrates' life, but that of those around him. Throughout the book, Socrates bubbles with an undefined rage at his surroundings, and ultimately he must find some way to accommodate that rage without letting it consume him. Even so, the good side of Socrates is always plainly evident: he's a father figure to a young boy, cares for his two-legged dog, and saves the life of a drunk. That's not to say that he's a "good" person, because he has killed people, but he is a man that's trying to do good things with life despite his past and despite the turmoil within him. Through his interactions with a neighborhood discussion group (a somewhat clumsy device) and a self-styled revolutionary, Socrates comes to discover that he has a right to be angry, but it's how that anger is channeled that will decide his fate. This is played out in a rushed and melodramatic final story that fits thematically with the rest of the book, but is kind of jarring.

Ultimately, the book's message is reasonably clear. Black men need to translate their anger into productive action and free themselves of the mental shackles that keep them from fulfilling their potential. For every person, this means something different, but even those who have committed the greatest sin can live a moral life. Which is not to say their aren't evil people in the world'or in their own community'but just because one lives in a ghetto doesn't mean the only solution is to leave. Rather, stay in the community and try and make it better'even though the man is trying to keep you down.

Walter Mosley's black, 60ish, ex-convict Socrates Fortlow is a unique hero. To start with, there's his stature: he's an enormous, powerful man with "killer hands" that are "weapons trained from childhood for war." Socrates is "more often than not the strongest man in the room" and his laugh sounds "like far-off explosions, a battery of cannon laying siege to a defenseless town."

Then there's his past: 27 years in prison for murders he committed in some kind of daze. He's not just haunted by the evil he's put into the world, he's possessed by it. He'll always carry prison inside of him--even his dreams return him to a claustrophobic cell--but he's determined to do right and teach others likewise.

He has to "see past bein' guilty" and that includes taking care of those who are helpless, guiding others with probing, Soctratic questions, and in effect nurturing a young black boy he works with. Fortlow may have lost his moral compass, but he's determined to fly right (as he sees it) and not let others do what he's done.

It's the combination of simmering rage and brutality with a hunger for redemption that makes Walter Mosley's new collection of stories about Fortlow edgy and at times profound.

The obstacles are enormous, because for the cops, this murderer is just "a prisoner-in-waiting." They come after him whenever there's a crime committed nearby and even "on a whim . . . just in case he had done something that even they couldn't suspect." Socrates has an ex-con's ability to sink into silence and out wait his oppressors, but in the end he'll take a very bold step--knowing "he had to stand up without killing--in his search for justice.

Socrates' moral sensibility searchlighting his life brings a kind of monumentality to the character, who is larger than life in many ways. With his two-legged dog, he seems a figure out of myth. Ralph Ellison's name is brought up in the book, but for me he recalls figures from the brooding romances of Hawthorne and Melville, a man irrevocably marked by his past.

The prose is finely crafted, supple, clear, powerful. The dialogue natural, and the truths fierce. This book is beautiful and sad, so compelling you may feel torn between wanting to gobble it down and read slowly to savor every insight. Not a bad dilemma.

"Walkin' the Dog" makes you care, makes you think, makes you glad Walter Mosley is writing. This is not a book you're likely to forget, and it's one you'll want to share.

...and his "Walkin' The Dog" sequel to "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" confirms it. Mr. Mosley does what seems to be lacking in other Afro-American writers: he is able to instantly add details to his story without giving you the feeling that you missed something. In "Walkin' The Dog," Mr. Mosley provides a deeper glimpse into Socrates Fortlow, to understand this seemingly violent character. Socrates thinks he has nothing to offer society because of his past incarceration, but he is a determined, hard-working man, and his profound insight makes those who know or meet him rethink their purpose in life. Socrates takes care of his neighborhood, seeing things that no one wants to see or what others choose to ignore. In the end, and although he certainly is not seeking acceptance from others, he attains a degree of respect, success, and friendship because of his attitude and convictions.

If only there were more men like Socrates in this world, even with his less-than-desirable background. Thank you, Mr. Mosley, for sharing your talent with us. You are able to create, through your writing, complex relationships and to convey them expertly. I hope you continue to write, and I will continue to read your work.

Simply put, this is just a great book. Michener has got to be the only author that can keep me page turning for over a 1000 pages! Though it took me a while to read, I had the sence that I was reading 10 fantasic novels that all related to the same place. Of course, that's Michener's style. The Source is still my favorite Michener novel, but this one came in a close second. Having read 4 of his books now, I'd say that this one differs in the way Michener carries his characters from Chapter to chapter. You really get a sence of wonder for the history of the land and it's intregue as you read about a character who reappears as an older person in another chapter. The last few chapters are great, as you understand more about the main characters family histories than they do! Alaska really book ends itself well. Some Michener novels cover such a broad spectrum of time that the chapters feel detatched and all together seperate. However, Alaska remains a novel first and foremost about the land itself, and there is just as much wonder and danger in the last chapter as the first. I'm so glad I read this book and can't wait to read another of Michener's books.

I purchased "Alaska" by Michener to gain insight into the history and culture of this land. This was in preparation for my family's Alaksan cruise. The book fulfilled that purpose above and beyond. But, in addition, I found myself immersed in the story of this land and its people which spanned thousands of years up to present day. I have not read a book recently where I found myself attached to the characters as I did in "Alaska". I was truly sorry when the book came to an end.

James Michener has a style of writing that is superior, but takes some time to get use to. He brings you inside of the characters and you become completely absorbed by the story. I hate to put the book down. You have to stay with the story in the beginning because you will be rewarded in the end. I love the parts where he gives you insights into what the animals are thinking. You see Alaska from all possible angles. He is honest and I love the way he brings the whole history of Alaska together into one book. Do not be intimidated by the size of a book, remember, never judge a book by its cover! This is an excellent read!