I'd give this book a 10-star rating if I could.

I've read many self-help, motivational books over 20 years time and all have help in some small way. However, this book has helped me in a MONUMENTAL way.

The book is an amazingly comprehensive explanation on how our attitudes and thoughts shape our lives, and how to approach all of life's situations so that you are prospered. The book explains that the word "rich" means having an "abundance of good" or living a fuller, more satisfying life, and that you are prospersous to the degree that you are experiencing peace, health, happiness and plenty in your world. So as well as becoming financially independent and secure, all areas of your life prosper, such as relationships, health, ect., and really, that's what everyone wants, even if they don't realize it.

Another section of the book says that if you persist in expecting and talking about prosperity and success, there is no power in heaven or earth that can prevent them from appearing in your world. What a powerful, true statement.

Catherine Ponder states: Desire is God tapping at the door of your mind, trying to give you greater good. She explains that it is NORMAL to want to prosper! This made a huge difference to my way of thinking.

I bought this book in the summer ..., read it once, immediately re-read it and highlighted passages, and am now in the third reading in the spring ... and am writing out affirmations and practicing what the book suggests. My life wasn't even in bad shape when I picked up the book, and yet I felt something missing. As I apply the principles of this book to my life, layers and layers of sadness and a certain depression I didn't even realize I had are dissolving.

The "dynamic laws of prosperity" are words I've been searching for all my life, and I am thankful, greatful, and appreciative to have finally found them.

Catherine Ponder is the great Unity minister reknowned for her prosperity teaching. Her book gives powerful, practical inspiration and advice about life and how to live it rich.

This is not a book bogged down in theory and rhetoric. IT is -- like the title -- dynamic. It's a powerful "how to" book.

Ponder's message is positive and uplifting. Her enthusiasm and success are contagious. It is not stretching the truth to say that this may be one of the most important books you ever read.

I bought my Dynamic Laws of Prosperity locally but, no matter where it's purchased, it is a profound but understandable book and well worth buying. I have found it helpful to read slowly and only a few pages at a time, along with highlighting significant sentences to help me remember. This is mind- and life-changing information without a doubt.

I gave my daughter and her friend The Girls' Book of Wisdom as one of their birthday party gifts. My daughter has not put down the book since she began reading it on Saturday night. Between the birthday celebration, drives in the car to the store, church, dinner, free time, and bedtime, she has enjoyed it so much. She wants me to read it when she's done with it. She keeps me posted on what chapter she's on, and the last I heard she was on chapter 9. She is so fascinated with all the quotes and particularly with the women quoted. I look forward to giving her The Girls' Guide to Life on her real birthday.

I got The Girls' Book of Wisdom for Christmas, and I love it so far. It touched my heart and many of my friends' too. I can't wait to get the other book The Girls' Guide to Life.

When my daughter read the first paragraph (not Chapter 1, just whatever page fell open while I was driving down the street), she immediately said, "Oh, wow, this is good! Well, I had her read it to me and this led to a very interesting conversation that was enlightening for both of us -- for me because I found out what her thoughts were about how girls should act around boys -- for her because she realized that I really had been her age once upon a time and had had similar feelings.

I was pleasantly surprised that she thought it was just fine to share her opinions with boys and not be afraid of what they might think. She said she had hoped they would like and respect her for her opinion but many times that was not what happened and she was considering changing her ways. She thought she was doing it all wrong but the book was confirming her thoughts and she liked that a lot! This opened some good dialogue between us so I could share my feelings and experiences with her and let her know that I agreed with the book. Had it not been for this book, we may not have had that conversation for some time (or maybe not at all), and she may have decided to lean toward being more of a follower than the little leader she seems to be growing into.

An added plus is that, so far, I agree with everything I've read, and when I can say something and she can then read it in a book, that gives more credence to what I've said. Sometimes reading it in a book makes it more real than if a parent says it!

This book gave me the courage and strength I desperately needed in this fight with IC. Reading the last few chapters of the book, I sat there crying because I saw myself through this whole book. Finally, someone understood the pain I had been going through with this horrid bladder disease. And finally someone had written a book for the patient! Most others I have read on IC are written in medical terms and rather difficult to understand. Well, not To Wake In Tears. It is written strictly for YOU, THE PATIENT, THE ONE SUFFERING. I strongly advise anyone who is living with IC, or has a loved one suffering from IC to read this book. It is truly a Godsend.

To Wake In Tears has something for all IC patients to gain. Even if all that the author tried to help herself does not work for you, there will be something in the book that will make your life a little bit easier, less painful and definitely more in control of your life. If you do not come away after reading this book with some positive things to try for your IC, you either 1. don't have IC, or 2. Your mind is closed to any new ideas about treating the entire body instead of just your bladder. Every urologist should be giving this book out to their newly diagnosed patients to let them see that there is help for them and their world need not be over just because they have IC. I applaud the writer so very much for taking the time to bring this book to the public.

Reading that other people have the same symptomns as I have. Finding the information that I have needed to identify and help my dr. understand that many fibro patients have I.C. The description of I.C. and symptomns is found within the WONDERFUL book...To Wake In Tears Understanding Interstitial C. has been a God sent to my family and myself...I can deal with this problem because I know massive amount of information on the subject..Thanks to this TERRIFICbook by Catherine M. Simone. She is a mentor and a guide. What a positive difference this book has made in my life....Thank you Cath... Praise God

An incredibly well-written primer on leadership. This book is a quick read, easy to grasp and full of poignant vingettes about those who have demonstrated, or have failed to demonstrate leadership at critical junctions in various situations. Being familiar with Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition prior to reading this book is helpful, but not necessary. However, the many examples from the expedition cited by the author are bound to make any serious student of leadership want to know the whole story, so I recommend purchasing Alfred Lansing's "Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" originally published in 1959 and now in its third printing (Carroll & Graf, 1998), as well as the recent movie, "Shackleton" starring Kenneth Branagh produced by A&E. Having images from the book and movie in your mind clearly adds vividness to the leadership examples cited by Dennis Perkins. Additionally, since the author himself is clearly intimately familiar with the events, readers can only benefit from coming at the book from the same point of reference.

There are bound to be comparisons between the author's 10 Leadership Strategies and Covey's 7 Habits. While there may be differences in focus (the 7 Habits are focused on development of personal succes while Perkins' 10 Strategies are focused on leading a successful organization), Perkins steps into the cold, hard world of real life drama played out in boardrooms, production facilities and corporate culture by demonstrating the key 10 leadership strategies he has gleaned from Shackleton's overwhelming drive to get his crew home safely against odds that could easily have crushed the bravest of souls. With the addition of other real-life survival anecdotes, Perkins adds more captivating illustrations for his leadership strategies.

A specifc point made which bears noting is the curious fact that leadership is often easier to exercise in a clear crisis than when no specific danger is on the horizon. When no dire need for change is evident, most people are satisfied with the status quo, even if the organization is getting sloppy and inefficiencies are beginning to limit organizational flexibility. I have been fond of saying, "We are so into crisis management, that unless the situation is a crisis, we can't manage it." Perkins covers this point wonderfully with a case study on how a top forest products corporation remade itself when the need for change was still only evident to a few people, and long beofore a major crisis was looming overhead.

This is a "meaty" book with no fluff and a quick read, organized in a way that makes it simple to reference specific points in the future. All the books in the world on corporate and marketing strategies are useless if the corporate leadership culture is sick. This book hits organizations in the center of gravity - the mindset of the leadership, and that is where all effective change has to start. I cannot recommend the book more highly.

This outstanding book is a collection and analysis of leadership lessons from Ernest Shackleton's heroic 1914-1916 Antarctic expedition at the edge of survival. Shackleton's amazing adventure saga alone is a great read, but it is the leadership insights that make this book a "must-read."

Perkins carefully organized the book into four inter-related parts. After briefly summarizing the Shackleton expedition, in Part One Perkins presents his 10 strategies for leading at the edge:

1-Vision and Quick Victories: Never lose sight of the ultimate goal, and focus energy on short-term objectives.

2-Symbolism and Personal Example: Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behaviors.

3-Optimism and Reality: Instill optimism and self-confidence, but stay grounded in reality.

4-Stamina: Take care of yourself: Maintain your stamina and let go of guilt.

5-The Team Message: Reinforce the team message constantly: "We are one - we live or die together."

6-Core Team Values: Minimize status differences and insist on courtesy and mutual respect.

7-Conflict: Master conflict - deal with anger in small doses, engage dissidents, and avoid needless power struggles.

8-Lighten Up!: Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about.

9-Risk: Be willing to take the Big Risk.

10-Tenacious Creativity: Never give up - there's always another move.

Interwoven with these strategies are detailed accounts from Shackleton's expedition and real world business examples to fully illustrate the strategies' applicability to today's leadership environments.

Part Two is case studies of four organizations that successfully applied the strategies and achieved remarkable success. In Part Three, Perkins "outlines a number of qualities and actions that...contribute to living, learning, and thriving at "The Edge."" Part Four provides the reader with some tools to further develop individual leadership skills.

Written by a former combat Lieutenant of Marines in Vietnam and current "President of The Syncretics Group, a consultancy that focuses on effective leadership in demanding environments," this book was a very enjoyable and informative study of leadership. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about, and seeing if they have what it takes for, leading at the edge.

This is simply one of the finest, most fascinating, and most instructive leadership books I have ever read. Dr. Perkins and his co-authors have succeeded in clarifying the universal leadership principles and practices as they exist in the real world. Using the incredible true story of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition as backdrop, and interweaving modern business examples to further illustrate the critical leadership lessons, Dr. Perkins has captured the heart, soul, and guts of leadership for the modern leader. Rather than stopping there, he also gives us the benefit of leadership lessons learned through his own intense experiences "leading at the edge" as a Marine Corps Infantry Officer in Vietnam, and as an organizational leadership consultant. It doesn't get any better than this extremely well-written work. If you, like me, are tired of the "leadership cookbooks" which crowd the bookstore shelves, search this one out. Read it. Discuss it with your family and your colleagues, and truly grow from the experience. The lessons are powerful, the stories are inspiring and instructive, and they work at the level of both metaphor and real-world example of what is possible in any organization when authentic leadership is present. Sean M. Georges, JD, LLM, is a former Marine Corps Officer and now serves as Vice President, Human Resources for a publicly-traded corporation.

This book was fantastic! It was well written, easy to understand, and accurate. Catherine generated wonderful ideas for parent/child activities that can be immediately implemented to help change children's lives.

I will use the Foundational Skills Inventory in my practice and share it with other therapists. It is easy for parents, educators and other health professionals to use to highlight areas of concern, and to clearly communicate with the occupational therapist. I plan to order it in tablet form as soon as it becomes available.

A must read for OT students! I highly recommend this book!

It's no secret that "Sensory Secrets: How to jump-start learning in children" is a great resource for parents or teachers dealing with children with autisim. It is an eye appealing, easy to read book with many ideas on how to allow children to achieve success through sensory intergration. Being a high school autistic teacher, I was able to incoorporate ideas from this book in my classroom with great success. I recommend this book as a wonderful guide to sensory intergration.

Sensory Secrets offers insightful and valuable information for parents as well as educators. I am the mother of a 22 month old and I found Sensory Secrets very easy to read and comprehend. It is filled with interesting ideas to help me teach my daughter and understand some of her behaviors. I highly recommend this book.

Catherine Marshall's loving tribute to her mother Lenora Wood's time in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee teaching the poor children of Cutter Gap and the effect it had on her life is captured with warmth and beauty in this fine audio book. It is made all the more special as it is read by Kellie Martin. She starred in the two hour film and the origional series, and for most people, including myself, will always be Christy Huddelston. It is rare when an audio book is this good.

Nothing is ever a substitute for reading the book but having done both I can honestly say you have to own this. It is an excellent companion to the book and the series and is nice to have around. Just as she did in the series, Kellie Martin perfectly captures the great beauty of these mountains and the poverty of it's people. Occasional and brief interludes of banjo music frame this heartwarming, and sometimes heartbreaking, thinly disguised biography of this young and exuberant 19 year old girl who falls in love with the children of Cutter gap.

This seems more like a telling of a story than a reading and that in itself separates it from other audio books. Martin captures the joy and humor as well as the conflict and resentment as the school and church butted heads over moonshine. She captures the romance that begins to blossom and Christy's divided heart. This may be warm family entertainment but it has substance as well. Those who are fans of the beloved bestseller and the fine series that was to good to stay on television for long will not be dissappointed.

The emotions of Christy and her resolve to stay in this place and teach are lovingly brought to life here by Kellie Martin and the wonderful words of Catherine Marshall. Particularly moving is the relationship of Christy and Fairlight Spencer, a strong but delicate woman who offers her friendship. As her light begins to fade into the shadows it is truly moving.

I highly recommend this one. It's a loving tribute to a life devoted to children. Filled with love and joy this is one audio book you'll savor and enjoy over and over...

"Christy" is the story of 19 year old Christy Huddleston who is in search for something to fill her soul and give her a purpose in life. So volunteering to teach in a mission school, Christy journeys to the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee, more specifically the area of Cutter Gap. Along with her, the other missions workers are a Quaker woman whom Christy looks up to Miss Alice Henderson, the handsome and charming Reverend David Grantland, and the reverend's spinster and dour sister, Ida Grantland. As she begins to get used to living in the primitive surroundings, her heart reaches out the highlanders, especially to the children. Another person Christy begins to bond with is Doctor Neil MacNeil who has a strong desire to help his people. And as Christy struggles through hardships and heartache, joy and victories, she learns to have faith that God will take care of each and every one of them through good times and bad times.

"Christy" was written by Catherine Marshall in 1967. The book is under the category of 'fiction', but in actuality Catherine Marshall had written the story based on her mother, Christy's, life. An extremely uplifting and spiritually filling book, "Christy" is sure to please both young adults and adults.

The characters in the story are what really draw you into the book, making it a turn pager not in the sense that it's suspenseful, but in that you just want to read more and more about the characters. Christy Huddleston has all of the qualities of a young woman, intelligent, charming, yet a bit innocent. She also has a very curious mind and is always pondering about life and God's mysterious ways. Miss Alice Henderson is so well described you can just picture in your mind her 'queenly stature and beautiful poise'. I would sorely have liked to meet her in real life and discuss God with her as she has such a close relationship with Him.

Then there's the two men in Christy's life, the reverend and the doctor, both possessing unique attraction and strength. Reverend David Grantland is everything a girl dreams of, young, handsome, and incredibly romantic. But at the same time Christy finds he doesn't seem to have such a good relationship with God. Whenever Christy tries to ask him deep questions, his answers are vague, unfulfilling, and he also tries to avoid any discussions. Then of course we have Doctor Neil MacNeil, a man of science and not one of God. Though a highlander himself, since he had graduated from a prestigious college he is incredibly smart and sharp. His quick wit, quiet and calm ways, and cool attitude draws Christy towards him. But at the same time she can find him annoying and feels uncomfortable with him. Who is she in love with? I can't tell you the answer though I can assure you that Christy DOES find the love of her life, a man who loves her so very much.

Catherine Marshall puts into her story many instances where Christy questions God's mysterious ways, for example where is God when a close friend dies? How can God's mercy be taught to the people of Cutter Gap who are very poor and whose lives are very hard? Catherine Marshall writes so vividly and so well that you begin yourself to ask questions and as you read find the answers. Also, the end was SOOOOO well-done! I must admit that whenever I read the last two pages, I do get a bit misty eyed and I feel so uplifted! It's not the romance (though it does include romance) but it's the eloquence of this person's (I'm not telling who!) prayer to God. Whenever I finish reading the book, I always think, "that's how much faith I want to have in God!"

I highly recommend this book, probably for teens and adults, mostly for teens older than 14. One reason is because younger children might find the book a bit dull or deep. Also some adult issues are discussed that younger children won't understand and some teens mind find a bit uncomfortable. But I still very highly recommend this book to read for both enjoyment and learning. Also recommended is the "Christy" series in which all the episodes are sold from Volume 1-12 (though unfortunately most are not sold on Amazon, hint hint!). The cast includes Kellie Martin, Randall Batinkoff, Stewart Finlay-Mclennan, and Tyne Daly. Also in the year 2001, PAX tv gave made three Christy movies, "Return to Cutter Gap", "A Change of Seasons", and "A New Beginning". The cast includes Lauren Lee Smith, Stewart Finlay-McLennan, James Waterston, and Dianne Ladd.

This is a wonderful telling of a real-life occurrence. Although the work is presented as fiction, the story, and most of the events, are based on the real life experiences of the author's mother. The real-life setting for the book lies in Del Rio, Tennessee, very near to Newport in the beautiful East Tennessee hill country. I re-read the book after visiting the actual site that served as the setting for the book (30 miles from my home); facinating to say the least! For those that enjoy historical fiction, this book is the best of all worlds. It accuratly presents the area and the life of the times. In terms of historical value, the only real fiction I could find is in the form of names (both places and people). Everything else appeared to accurate history written in novel form. If you liked the movie and/or the play, you'll find the book even more rewarding. My visit to the real "El Pano" (Del Rio)and "Cutter Gap" (Chapel Hollow), allowed me to relate the book to the actual place. In combination with Ms. Marshall's wonderful first-person narrative, the book literally came alive for me during my second reading. Not only is this book worthwhile reading in its own right, it is an excellent glimpse of life in East Tennessee in the early part of the last century. If you have the chance, you must visit the actual site. It is unspoiled and if your lucky you'll have the chance to meet the grandson of "Jeb and Fairlight Spencer" who still lives there in one of the original cabins.

When Meredith married Dan Calendri, she did not realize how abusive her spouse was. So when he dies, Meredith feels that she and her little girl are finally safe. That illusion is quickly shattered when Dan's father Glenn decides he wants to raise his granddaughter and will go to any length to obtain his desires. Glenn, who has mob connections, works behind the scenes to get Meredith declared incompetent so that he can gain custody. She knows that she is going to lose. Fearing for her daughter, who was abused by Dan, Meredith and Sammy flee into the night.

The pair moves to a remote area of Oregon where her nearest neighbor is Sheriff Heath Masters. However, Sammy fears all males and Meredith is afraid that Glenn will find her so both of them try to avoid Heath. The frightened females never counted on Heath's canine Goliath, who adopts the little girl as his own. Soon Heath finds himself falling in love with the two vulnerable females. However, Glenn is closing in on them and Heath has dedicated his career to a strict interpretation of the law. Besides having to risk his life for love, Heath has to sacrifice his ideals as a dedicated law enforcement official if he wants to save his beloved women. However, this is something he is not sure he can do.

FOREVER AFTER is a superb adult fairy tale romance that will excite fans of suspense. The lead protagonists are wonderful characters, though at times they are exceeded by the brilliantly developed Goliath and Sammy, whose fear of men seems so horrifically genuine. Catherine Anderson is truly one of the great writers of romantic suspense on the market today.

Harriet Klausner

When Meredith married Dan Calendri, she did not realize how abusive her spouse was. So when he dies, Meredith feels that she and her little girl are finally safe. That illusion is quickly shattered when Dan's father Glenn decides he wants to raise his granddaughter and will go to any length to obtain his desires. Glenn, who has mob connections, works behind the scenes to get Meredith declared incompetent so that he can gain custody. She knows that she is going to lose. Fearing for her daughter, who was abused by Dan, Meredith and Sammy flee into the night.

The pair moves to a remote area of Oregon where her nearest neighbor is Sheriff Heath Masters. However, Sammy fears all males and Meredith is afraid that Glenn will find her so both of them try to avoid Heath. The frightened females never counted on Heath's canine Goliath, who adopts the little girl as his own. Soon Heath finds himself falling in love with the two vulnerable females. However, Glenn is closing in on them and Heath has dedicated his career to a strict interpretation of the law. Besides having to risk his life for love, Heath has to sacrifice his ideals as a dedicated law enforcement official if he wants to save his beloved women. However, this is something he is not sure he can do.

FOREVER AFTER is a superb adult fairy tale romance that will excite fans of suspense. The lead protagonists are wonderful characters, though at times they are exceeded by the brilliantly developed Goliath and Sammy, whose fear of men seems so horrifically genuine. Catherine Anderson is truly one of the great writers of romantic suspense on the market today.

Harriet Klausner

Catherine Anderson has done it again. This time in a contemporary love story. The interplay between Meredith and Glenn develops slowly but the love between Sammy and Goliath is the strength of this family to be. I've read this book at least 3 times and love it more each time. A definite must for any Anderson fan!!!

Looking for something to read the other night, I found this gem on my wife's night stand. I didn't have high expectations - a "chick book" - but at least it was set locally. I was wrong! The story moves along - it was a quick read - and I was drawn in by the characters. I cared about Lucky and Heather and enjoyed the twists and turns. I know I've met some of these people and the guessing only added to the fun. When Ms. Burr's next novel comes out, my wife better not leave it laying around if she wants to read it first.

I love to read books. Silicon Secrets is a book that has everything in it; romance, mystery, intrigue, glamour, not to mention characters and places that are brought to life. My cousin read me over the phone the titillating description on the back cover, and that was enough for me to order it. When the book arrived, I couldn't wait to read it. I started reading it right after dinner, and stayed up into the night until I finished it. I couldn't put it down! I give Silicon Secrets and its author, Catherine Burr, a high five.

Looking for something to read the other night, I found this gem on my wife's night stand. I didn't have high expectations - a "chick book" - but at least it was set locally. I was wrong! The story moves along - it was a quick read - and I was drawn in by the characters. I cared about Lucky and Heather and enjoyed the twists and turns. I know I've met some of these people and the guessing only added to the fun. When Ms. Burr's next novel comes out, my wife better not leave it laying around if she wants to read it first.

This book is a great collection of stories, quotes, and even poems from girls of all ages. Catherine Dee has put together advice from women and girls to help you understand and cherish the most important people in your life - your friends! Your friends can be members of your family, and your family can be your friends.

Famous women, including Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and many more offer their opinion and feelings about their friends.

This book is a great present to your best friend and is fun to read. Find out what all kinds of girls and women have to say about making and maintaining friendships, trust and secrets, celebrating friends, boy friends, and more.

Inspired by women from all walks of life, this book should be required reading for preteen and teen girls as well as their families. With stories and quotes to share and compare, Dee has gathered words of wisdom perfect for empowering today's young girls.

Girls will thumb through page after page, searching for the perfect sentiment. This collection of would make a nice boost for a friend who's moving away or staying behind, a new friend, an old friend, even a graduation present. For whatever occasion, The Girl's Book of Friendship: Cool Quotes, True Stories, Secrets, and More fits into the must-read category for the teen-age girl.

We loved The Girls' Book of Friendship so much that it's our book feature for August and September. Catherine Dee has put together advice from women and girls to help you understand and cherish the most important people in your life -- your friends. Famous women, including Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and many more offer their opinion and feelings. This fun book is a great present to your best friend!
--Julie Shannan, program coordinator [...]