As frightening as the volume of the book might see, it is written very well and it is very contemporary with the topics discussed in.
The book is divided in several sections with general theory and implications disussed first and with some real cases presented afterwards. Each case is usually backed with some questions to think about and to extract the essence of it. The complete book feels like being a student in the class with authors performing as teachers (as they also do sometimes).
Concepts of strategy are extremely tricky. It can hardly been negotiated if there is a strategy or if you just got to have the feeling or if there simply are people who earn 1 million US$+ a year that turn into gold everything they touch and you can't run a serious business without them. This book will help you understand that strategy exists, will teach you how to define it and set it through and how to predict the future and react on it. But as real life is, many things can happen. You get the driver's licence after you learn the basics of driving. But no one can tell after you get the licence if you will get involved into the crash and when.
Many people expect from such books that they will get a broad pavement covered with roses to walk through their careers on simply by paying some 70 US$. How naive they sound sometimes. The pen alone doesn't write a book, it is just an instrument to success, behind which stands an enormous human effort. This wonderful book is only an instrument to avoid some crashes of company in your career. If it can therefore win you a job or a mere 100 US$ raise, it has paid back heavily, don't you think?

This is an important and recent strategy book. I recommend it for MBA students and managers.

This book is loaded with technical information for the dratsman and designer. A must have for anyone who is in the mechanical technology field.

This text was the basic drafting manual that I used during my technical education; its use did not end with school, however, since I refer to it frequently in my occupation. It tells everything that needs to be explained and described in the general drawing problems that might be encountered in industrial practice. It contains excellent descriptions and illustrations for: Drawing Threads, Fasteners & Springs Geometric Constructions Clear, Concise instructions in using Drafting Instruments, (before the time of Computer Aided Drafting & Desing, in any case). An Excellent overview of the Industrial Design & Development Process, (which I wish my supervisors would read). Sectional Drawing. This book is to drafting what Machinery's Handbook, of the Industrial Press, is to the metal working industries. There are a variety of Drafting Textbooks available, but none are incrementally better, let alone drasticaly better.

I first read this book about 5 years ago, drawn to it because of the appreciation of the investment prowess of the Author. I have long been a shareholder of the Templeton Funds. When I agreed to teach a class of 8th graders a "Career Exploration" class I knew this would be a 1st rate text. The class read the book over a period of weeks as we reviewed the book each class period. Each of them was then required to write a review. Each student gleaned different messages from the book. All spoke highly of it. It is my belief that it will continue to speak to them as they shape their careers and their lives. Personally, I can think of no better gift for a young adult, or for a foreward thinking adolescent, than this book

This book provides the reader with a clear description of the personal characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors that lead to a fulfilled life. Both of the authors relate these time proven principals with actual examples from Mr. Templeton's own experience in life. Area's covered include: Learning, Giving, Working, Happiness, Attitude, Investing in Life, Understanding, Loving, Humility, and other areas that lead to happiness in one's life. On a personal note, i am 28 yrs. old and am very grateful to have had the opportunity to have been exposed to this type of wisdom. This book makes a great gift, especially to those souls still searching for meaning, joy, and peace in their life on earth.

As a student who is interested in pursuing illustration, this book is a golden gem for it is a rather thorough journey that is fun to dive into. While many other books similiar to this would simply showcase all the artists' body of work, this book reveals the creative struggle that James McMullan went through with each poster to create an image that met his client's needs. Reference photographs of his models and early color and pencil studies depict the story that is accompanied with each poster that describes McMullan's process. Sometimes an early draft of one of his posters didn't hit the nail with the director of the play: the character depicted in the image needed to look older and more angry, less naive. Whatever the case, McMullan would have to go back and rework. And in some cases, he might even start over with an entirely new idea and take a different road with the poster. With each poster, there's a different story, a different process, a different challenge. And none of the posters that are shown in here have been neglected for the book reveals it all. Above all, I appreciate James McMullan's conceptual talent with his posters that manage to create an image that defines the play as a whole. With this book, it is a pleasure to find the process behind these posters as well as being able to gaze upon their beauty.

Rarely is one able to glimpse into the world of a well-known illustrator. But, in this book, the illustrator James McMullan, takes us into his studio and explains just how he has created the 36 posters, over a 30 year period, for New York City's Lincoln Center. The full-page reproductions of McMullan's posters combined with his lucid prose makes this a beautiful and highly engrossing book. When I went to buy McMullan's book the bookstore clerk said, "this is the most gorgeous book in the store." Indeed, he was right.

"To See the Elephant, The Civil War Letters of John A. McKee (1861-1865)," James R. James, illustrated by Darrell L. Combs, Leathers Publishing: Leawood, KS, (1998), ISBN: 1-890622-49-4; LOC: 98-67522.

In a world of e-mail and networks, we need to remember that letter writing is an act of faith. Faith that our correspondence will be dispatched and delivered, read and answered. Not simply a stream of bytes deleted more quickly than keyboarded. A letter, composed at a teakwood escritoire or within a sodden pup tent, is an out-calling, awaiting not an echo, but a thoughtful reply. Letters crafted not through plastic keys or ball point pens, but with quills and inks, on coarse paper. Such were the letters of John A. McKee (44th Ohio Vol. Infantry, later 8th Ohio Vol. Cavalry).

A common soldier, but no ordinary man, McKee saw and told engagingly of daily hardships: soldiers paying for uniforms; writing home to have boots made; scant wages, long withheld; usually prompt post, even if family and friends had to send postage money. The randomness of shot and shell - inaccurate, ill-timed --, men and horses blood-drenching fields, hanged bodies -- justice undone -, friends and fellows cut down, wounded, captured, lost. The elephant seen. Told sentiently, without sentimentality. The occasional respite - evening galas, young ladies in formal settings -, on the eve of bloody battles, tell of a kind of war soon to be crushed beneath mechanization. A kinder, simpler war, certainly not. But a war made even more poignant because family and friends could visit the troops at the edge of the battlefield and watch the carnage spread out before them. McKee's vocabulary, grammar, and constructions show him to have been a bright and thoughtful young man. Describing troop celebrations following the surrender of General Lee, McKee wrote, "in the absence of artillery the men procured two anvils and up to this time have used about 16 lbs. of powder with no sign of cessation at least until the appearance of the small hours." James R.. James, a nationally respected court administrator, has not intruded on the letters or the dispatches through which the story is told. He offers brief explanations and places the letters in the context of time and place; the descriptions and tone are authentic of the times. Some words and phrases out of general currency, but known to Civil War buffs and historians, could have been explained. "Soger boys," "housewife," bounty paid at mustering out, Butternuts, 'nothing short of ropes," merited explanatory notes. A map or two would have been helpful. The casual reader is sent off to dictionaries and companion volumes. Of course, whenever our reading sends us off for further information, the benefit is ours.

So has Mr. James benefitted us and the memory of John McKee. They have handed on to us the words and thoughts of a young man caught up in a nation rent. By getting these letters to a wider readership, Mr. James has honored not only John McKee but his friends of silent pen. The line drawings of Col. Darrell L. Combs, USMC (ret.). In the volume, complement the letters. They are simple, straight-forward, and telling. The text is well-served by the images.

This modest printing has not been the output of a vanity press; it has been a press to preserve thoughts, words, and cares, written not in vain. Letters preserved may not be letters of value. These are. The writer, John McKee, was a perceptive participant in a western campaign of the American Civil War. His letters speak to us of duty, privation, inept leaders, missing arms and armaments. A succession of holders judged the letters worthy to pass down. When you read them, you will agree. Thank you, Col. Combs. Thank you, Jim James. Thank you, John McKee.

S.D.Conti

"To See the Elephant, The Civil War Letters of John A. McKee (1861-1865)," James R. James, illustrated by Darrell L. Combs, 98-67522.

In a world of e-mail and networks, we need to remember that letter writing is an act of faith. Faith that our correspondence will be dispatched and delivered, read and answered. Not simply a stream of bytes deleted more quickly than keyboarded. A letter, composed at a teakwood escritoire or within a sodden pup tent, is an out-calling, awaiting not an echo, but a thoughtful reply. Letters crafted not through plastic keys or ball point pens, but with quills and inks, on coarse paper. Such were the letters of John A. McKee (44th Ohio Vol. Infantry, later 8th Ohio Vol. Cavalry).

A common soldier, but no ordinary man, McKee saw writing home to have boots made; scant wages, long withheld; usually prompt post, even if family and friends had to send postage money. The randomness of shot and shell - inaccurate, ill-timed --, men and horses blood-drenching fields, hanged bodies -- justice undone -, friends and fellows cut down, wounded, captured, lost. The elephant seen. Told sentiently, without sentimentality. The occasional respite - evening galas, young ladies in formal settings -, on the eve of bloody battles, tell of a kind of war soon to be crushed beneath mechanization. A kinder, simpler war, certainly not. But a war made even more poignant because family and friends could visit the troops at the edge of the battlefield and watch the carnage spread out before them. McKee's vocabulary, grammar, and constructions show him to have been a bright and thoughtful young man. Describing troop celebrations following the surrender of General Lee, McKee wrote, "in the absence of artillery the men procured two anvils and up to this time have used about 16 lbs. of powder with no sign of cessation at least until the appearance of the small hours."

James R. James, a nationally respected court administrator, has not intruded on the letters or the dispatches through which the story is told. He offers brief explanations and places the letters in the context of time and place; the descriptions and tone are authentic of the times. Some words and phrases out of general currency, but known to Civil War buffs and historians, could have been explained. "Soger boys," "housewife," bounty paid at mustering out, Butternuts, 'nothing short of ropes,' merited explanatory notes. A map or two would have been helpful. The casual reader is sent off to dictionaries and companion volumes. Of course, whenever our reading sends us off for further information, the benefit is ours.

So has Mr. James benefitted us and the memory of John McKee. They have handed on to us the words and thoughts of a young man caught up in a nation rent. By getting these letters to a wider readership, Mr. James has honored not only John McKee but his friends of silent pen. The line drawings of Col. Darrell L. Combs, USMC (ret.). In the volume, complement the letters. They are simple, straight-forward, and telling. The text is well-served by the images.

This modest printing has not been the output of a vanity press; it has been a press to preserve thoughts, words, and cares, written not in vain. Letters preserved may not be letters of value. These are. The writer, John McKee, was a perceptive participant in a western campaign of the American Civil War. His letters speak to us of duty, privation, inept leaders, missing arms and armaments. A succession of holders judged the letters worthy to pass down. When you read them, you will agree. Thank you, Col. Combs. Thank you, Jim James. Thank you, John

This book had me bursting out in laughter, some of the accounts are simply hilarious!! And other times, it's so heartwarming that I start to sniffle a bit... wow, talk about an emotional roller-coaster. Then again, I go through the same thing whenever I watch the Animal Planet channel.

Seriously though, besides being a great joy to read this book also contains a wealth of tips and information on traveling with your canine friends. I have 3 of such friends, it'll take quite a bit of planning to be able to go on a road trip with all of them one of these days, but you can bet that I'll be re-reading this book before I do so!

Like the previous reviewer said, you gotta LOVE dogs to appreciate this book. If you are one of those that regard them as merely animals, and nothing else, then you won't understand half the things that the writers are trying to convey.

If you love dogs -- I mean *really* love dogs -- and would take them anywhere you travel or while sitting on a park bench in some foreign city would go out of your to pet a stranger's dog, then I highly recommend this book to you. Editor Christine Hunsicker has pulled together some of the most touching, amusing, and disturbing non-fiction writing about traveling with dogs. I also highly recommend it as a gift to give to anyone you know who really loves dogs.

For anyone who wants to understand Destroyer sailors and their lives,this is the book to read. For those who have served in the Tin Can Navy, this is the book to read. It will bring back a flood of memories of their own duties in Destroyers. During the Korean War I was CO USS Walke DD723 and we were often in company with the Bole. She was a fine ship, and these are fine sea stories.

I wish to thank the author twice for publishing the personal accounts of former USS John A. Bole crew members. First - Thanks, because I thoroughly enjoyed reading his selection of crew experiences. Secondly - Thanks, because for years I have been wanting to compile and publish anecdotes of USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD729) crew members' accounts of their shipboard life .... now Mr. Alexander has, essentially, done that for us. Except for a difference of names (and lacking a DD729 first-hand Inchon "Sitting Ducks" account), I felt I was reading the exploits of my own ship. It brings back memories of many similar experiences during my years aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer. I recommend the book to all current and former U.S. Navy men, their wives, and sweethearts, and especially all "Tin Can Sailors". I look forward to Mr. Alexander's next book.

While focusing on the legacy of Robert Traver, a famous Michigan statesman, novelist, and fisherman, this book manages to also capture the soul and unique philosophies of fly fishermen everywhere. Wonderfully photographed throughout the book, James McCullough, through his series of essays, recounts his memories as a young man meeting the famous Traver on Voelker's Pond and his experiences years later returning to the pond after Traver passed on. Simply a peaceful and entertaining book to read through, with glimpses of the secret solitude of the fly fisherman's world with lessons of life that extend beyond the rod and pond.

This book is an amazing delight for those who love fly fishing, as well as those who simply love Michigan, great photography, and beautiful hidden places of nature. I learned things I didn't know about John Voelker, who wrote under the pen name Robert Traver, and through the stunning images, I felt as if I were right there at his beloved pond, fishing with him, something many of us flyfisherman have dreamt about for years. This books gives that dream new meaning. Thank you Mr. Wargin and Mr. McCullough, for capturing this place so beautifully!!!!!!

This is actually three products: the screen itself, a critical hits pamphlet and the index for the WFRP rulebook.

As GM screens go, this one is tip top. I'm a fan of "Walls of Fear and Ignorance", some GM's use them, some don't. I like them. The better screens will give you a nice concise listing of important rules at a glance. That is exactly what this one does. It is four paneled. The "GM's side" lists rules for Standard Tests, Healing, Vision Ranges In Darkness, Availability of Items, Subsistence, two panels of combat rules and the fourth panel covers Movement. All usefull. The opposite side is full color. It includes two full color art prints and a two panel map of the Old World. The map being aimed towards the players is most usefull for them, as they have a handy reference as to where they are and/or where they are headed during travel. Besides the screen, this product includes two booklets.

'GM's Screen and Reference Pack' is 16 pages consisting of an 11 page index to the rulebook that (in my not so humble opinion) should have been IN the rulebook. The remaining pages consist of an Almanac based upon the one found in "Shadows over Bogenhafen", but expanded and if printed out, usefull. It lists the days of the week (there are 8), Holy-Days and Months and an explanation of the Imperial Year. There are two pages which can be copied and used to keep track of time in the campaign. The last page is a one page Equipment reference.

The second booklet, 'Critical Hits' is 16 pages as well. It is an expansion of the Critical Hits from the rulebook. It lists Crits for sharp hand weapons, Blunt Hand Weapons, Teeth and Claws, Arrows and Bolts, Firearms, Falling and Crushing, and Fire and Energy. There are two pages of Critical Fumbles and a one page reference for Critical Hits rules. Critical Hits and Fumbles are an important part of the WFRP combat system and add a great amount of enjoyment to the game.

This is a great product and is one of the three "must buys" for WFRP. Buy this with the rule book, and Shadows over Bogenhafen for a fantastic campaign.

The WFRP GM screen is indispensible for GM's in WFRP. It helps very much to be able not to review the rulebook at many instances, and to use the rulebook not for quick reference, but to look up specific instances of rules. In addition, the added crit tables are very useful, especially in unlikely combat situations that are brought up using the standard combat crit tables.

The book has a lot of information and display of bookmarks. I highly recommend this book to bookmark lovers and collectors.