"Smart Staffing" took it's place on my shelf and quickly became the number one read book in the office! Because of increased business needs, it became necessary to increase our manufacturing personnel by approximately 25 people in a short period of time. The number of people interested was overwhelming (over 115 showed up in one day!) -- and no one had much experience in interviewing. "Smart Staffing" was our answer. The basic guidance was easy to read -- and easier yet to apply. Staff members who were asked to help with the onslaught of applicants quickly read through the material and were able to assist with the screening process with minimal training. The foundation has been laid and ideas and techniques are being expanded to encompass our needs while still holding on to the basic values offered in the book. Especially helpful were the "do's and don't" and list of acceptable questions. As of today, our staffing needs are 100% filled -- production is at its best -- and we continue to be the number one plant in our division. Thanks for the help, Wayne!!!

It is no secret that finding, rewarding, and keeping employees is a tremendous problem for companies of all sizes and industries, and does not appear to be getting any easier. For a long time now, there we've needed a book that integrates the major elements that affect staffing. Many that address the individual topics are either very dry and technical or lightly gloss over these key with anecdotes and stories. Now, there is a book that does justice to this very vital topic.

Smart Staffing is a very readable, yet extremely practical, in-depth, "how to" book. It gives practical strategies that can be implemented. It can be read and appreciated at all levels. For the line manager, it is not only good reading, but it is an excellent desktop reference for advice about handling situations or for reviewing prior to taking action. For HR professionals, its examples and insights will challenge them to improve their processes and practices.

The book begins with the importance of human capital and how to match the employee to the position. It uses the logical process of following an employee through hiring, orientation, training, rewarding, and retention. It outlines into numerous valuable strategies, resources, case studies, and examples.

The book's content is organized into five steps: 1) Think before you hire 2) Locate qualified applicants 3) Interview and select your new employee 4) Keep and reward top employees 5) Learn from your losses.

Its forty pages of appendices provide valuable tools, such as an Exit Interview Worksheet, Final Exit Interview Format, and Applicant Reference Sheets.

Strategies, such as the Executive Interview, provide ways not only for the executive to keep in touch with employees, but also ways to spot problems and reduce turnover as well. For example, Outlaw does not just suggest this strategy, he gives a logical, easy-to-follow format that an individual reader or a corporation can put to use right away.

Smart Staffing is written by a professional who understands how to recruit and keep top employees. His experience with Xerox and his own firm, which began as an executive search firm in 1984, comes through clearly in this well-written, practical, easy-to-implement, "how to" guide. His writing style has converted this important topic into a lively text, designed to be read, enjoyed, absorbed, and referred to frequently. With a retail price of $19.95, this book is a real bargain!

Workforce Stability Alert newsletter, October 1998

I found this book to be a very detailed guide to hiring qualified\ people and keeping them. In today's low unemployment atmosphere , this\ was a refreshing perspective.

"You can't know a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins," is the best quote I can come up with to sum up the impact of "Soon Will Come the Light".

Thomas McKean has presented in this book the one thing that I always wished for, but few books could offer---the ability to walk in my children with autism's shoes for a while and perhaps gain a deeper understanding of what their world looks and feels like.

McKean's writing reveals loving, gentle, brilliant man with autism, and his book is a stereotype buster. He shows us that people with autism have worth and wisdom to share with the world. He teaches us both through his inspiring gifts as a poet, and with his "no holds barred" personal thoughts on many of the current intervention trends in autism, such as auditory integration.

Even better, Thomas' book shows us who he is, a precious human being who walked away from life in an institution and bravely learned to coexist and compensate for the often harrowing sensory issues that come with a diagnosis of autism.

This book is a must read. It is a story of survival, courage, and the strong realization that people with autism have much to contribute to this world.

Mr. McKean is to be applauded for this timeless contribution to literature on autism. I will hold this book dear for a very long time to come.

Liane Gentry Skye
author
Turn Around, Bright Eyes-Snapshots from a Voyage out of Autism's Silence

As a teacher of students with Autism, I found this book to be very insightful. To be able to view Autism through the eyes of a person living with Autism was very helpful to me. I found his sections on sensory issues to be very informative. I loved his works of poetry at the end.

Thomas McKean gives great advice and valuable insight for parents of autistic children. He understands how parents try so hard to be helpful for their children, and sometimes fall short for lack of understanding. Thomas gives an insider's view of what autism feels like as a child and as an adult.

Thomas was a student of "The Child Whisperer" author Matt Pasquinilli. Mr. Pasquinilli has worked with children and adults challenged by austism and aspergers syndrome, and speaks about it in his book. Get "The Child Whisperer" for some great advice that compliments Thomas McKean's "Soon will come the Light."

Le Minh Khue writes: "To understand my stories, you need to understand the history of revolution, war and struggle that my country has gone through and out of which those stories grew."

Khue definately helps her readers to understand.

Le Minh Khue is an extraordinary woman who uses her personal experiences to enrich her stories. When she was very young, she lost her parents in the Land Reforms of the early fifties and in 1965, at age 16 she lied about her age so that she could join the People's Army. We get a first hand account of how it was to grow up in Vietnam prior to, during, and after the war. Khue details the influences of Western culture on the youth of Vietnam and shatters the sterotypes that others may have of the Vietnamese way of life.

Most of Khue's stories are very dark. In "Tony D", a story about the grief that an American soldier's skeletal remains bring to an old man and his son, the son forces his father to cut off his finger to prove that he is not lying. In other stories, the characters are driven to suicide, some are obsessed with the material world and would do anything for the "Almighty Dollar", and a great deal of the male characters are unfaithful, have overly cynical views on life, or knife their brother's pregnant wife in the stomach.

As Wayne Karlin (editor) says, "Le Minh Khue the writer continues to perform the task of Le Minh Khue the sapper: searching out and identifying the bombs that lay buried along the Trail along which we must move, bringing them out of the earth and sometimes identifying them, and sometimes defusing them, and sometimes exploding them, and sometimes smoothing over the scars they leave in the earth. She never lets us forget what is buried and where; in doing so, she gently suggests the directions we must continue to travel."

I greatly enjoyed The Stars, The Earth, The River, and find Le Minh Khue to be a very compelling and enjoyable writer.

This is a series of short stories of a girl's life in Vietnam during the 1970's. She was very involved in the war effort, at an age of about 20. For me this was pure communication and I could share her experiences easily. Short, easy sentences, on the point. With depth of feeling and honesty. Not political.

Curbstone Press, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing literature reflecting social issues (with strong emphasis on foreign cultures), has seen fit to translate a collection of stories that introduces to us another view of life in Vietnam, life as experienced from the nameless thousands who endured the war many of us knew only from nightly news reports.

The Stars, The Earth, The River is a compilation of fourteen stories written by Vietnamese journalist-turned-editor Le Minh Khue, and is a highly recommeded read for anyone interested in Oriental life and literature.

In these stories, Vietnam is a place where a woman turning forty is considered old and a person with only a thousand American dollars in his/her pocket is called a "millionaire." Khue's stories convey many themes with a touch of black humor: in "Scenes from an Alley," greed plays a major factor in the life of a married couple who learn of a woman receiving a grand payoff from an American when he accidentally kills the woman's daughter, then try to place their aging father in the American's path, hoping lightning will strike twice. "The Almighty Dollar" is a wonderfully satirical tale of a large dysfunctional family worthy of "The Ricki Lake Show." Competition for custody of a mentally disabled brother is triggered by love...of money.

"Tony D" mystifies as the alleged "ghost" of a dead American soldier comes to haunt the old man who intends to sell his bones for profit, and "A Small Tragedy" presents forbidden love at its most disturbing. The best story of the fourteen, however, would have to be Khue's first, "The Distant Stars," written when Khue was only nineteen. The stars in question are three young girls who comprise the Ground Reconnaissance Team. Their mission: to measure holes in the ground left by bombs and determine how much dirt is needed to replenish the earth. Amid exploding ammunition and the stench of death, these girls perform their tasks, all the while sharing their dreams of marrying rich and flirting carelessly with interested soldiers. You want to laugh at the antics of these girls, yet you cannot help but have pity. It is the most gripping of the stories in this book, and truly amazing that a mind so young could concoct such a tale.

The Stars, The Earth, The River is the first installment in Curbstone's Voices from Vietnam series of contemporary fiction edited by Le Minh Khue, Ho Anh Thai, and Wayne Karlin. If Khue's collection is any indication, this looks to be a very promising series of books.

Even if you are an experienced athlete yourself, and former power lifter (like me), this book is great for the research it presents about children and weightlifting, and for the organization of the material. I found the medicine ball portion particularly helpful. Very good pictures.

Strength and Power for Young Athletes is a tremendous help to athletes with both high and low athletic standards and abilities.It is very easy to read and follow.It has appendixes for each sport and categories for each age group.Pictures and a key of what each machine works helps you understand each machine easier.Nutrition guides of carbs and protien is also a big help.This book is great for keeping you in shape.

As a former Olympic Athlete I appreciate the importance of keeping children healthy and strong. This book provides all the tools you need to develop safe and effective strength programs for boys and girls. It is an easy read and the photographs are outstanding. This book is a real WINNER!

Wayne Mack completed his doctoral studies at Westminster Theological Seminary under the supervision of Jay E. Adams, who is world renowned for his Reformed approach to the field of counselling. Mack has largely followed in the footsteps of his mentor. He is the author of several books, all of which reflect the influence of the Jay Adams approach to counselling. Mack is currently the Director of the Christian Counselling and Educational Foundation in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Strengthening Your Marriage was initially developed as part of the requirements of Mack's doctoral program under Adams, and this practical volume is essentially the fruit of these studies. Not surprisingly, it reflects the sensible and solidly Biblical approach of Adams throughout.

Taking his starting point in the divine blueprint for marriage revealed in Genesis 2:24, Mack focuses on developing a Biblical understanding of becoming "one flesh" in all areas of marriage. Each area receives a solidly Biblical exposition, with the following topics being addressed: unity through understanding God's purpose for marriage; unity through a clear understanding of the wife's responsibilities and husband's responsibilities; unity through good communication; unity through financial agreement; sexual unity; unity through a common philosophy of raising children; promoting and maintaining unity by means of family religion. Each chapter is followed by a comprehensive set of questions which reinforce the content of the chapter by requiring the readers to study various Bible verses and apply these Biblical principles to their relationship.

Mack's intention is to promote solidly Biblical pre-marital and marital counselling. The book is primarily intended to be used by pastors and counsellors as a guide and workbook in such counselling. However, it also has the potential to be used as an effective tool by couples on their own.

The main strength of Strengthening Your Marriage is that it is thorough, Reformed, and Biblical. Mack constantly refers to Scripture, and yet has the gift of being very concrete and practical at the same time. Be warned however - the density of its content means that this book is not an easy armchair read. However, Mack never intended this to be an armchair read in the first place - it requires systematic study and work on the part of readers. Such study and work, however, is sure to reap rich rewards.

In short, pastors and elders alike will find Strengthening Your Marriage to be an excellent tool for dealing with the basic aspects of marriage. Jay Adam's recommendation is one I enthusiastically endorse: "Dr. Mack has produced a volume to which you will turn again and again. Buy it; it belongs on your shelf!"

Wayne Mack wrote this book 19 years ago and it continues to be the best and most practical and effective for couples seeking long term biblical change. This is an explicitly Christian resource. It is understandable and down to earth. It is also only for the stout of heart who are ready to look hard at themselves and who want God's help to change in the setting of their marriages.

It clarifies many issues on marriage such as communication, finance, sex and the roles & responsibilities of each spouse from the light of the holy scripture. Pertinent and practical ideas and advice are offered. There is a section for discussion which is especially useful for bible study purpose.

My Uncle wrote this book when I was 7 or 8 perhaps. I finally read the book an dit makes me realize what he went through. I have been looking for another copy of this book. Thank you to everyone who has read the book. His dream was to one day have a book published and he did it!

This is a very iteresting inside look at the Elint war in Viet-Nam. Beginning at language school at the Monterey Presideo, the author takes us through training and then active duty in Viet-Nam as an intercept operator.

I'm a bit amazed that the book was cleared by the U.S. government for publication (?), but it brought back a lot of memories for many of us who did the same work.

Well done!

Vietnam Spook Show is exactly the type of book that the NSA (National Security Agency) would like to ban, and it no doubt gave the NSG (Naval Security Group) fits as well. It's an incisive look into the lonely, stressed and twisted life style that Cryptologic Technicians (Interpretive) suffer through, from their days in language school through the high stress experience of invisible responsibility for others' lives at the end of a passive radio link.

Set in in the era of Vietnam, it is a timeless story of how the intelligence community eats it's young and disposes of the remains in unmarked graves. I read this book in one sitting, and several other "ex-spooks" I know did the same. Wayne Care is one of us, and he speaks for all of us. If you, or someone you love, has had a hard time dealing with the reality of a post intelligence life, this book might just offer the insight a civilian therapist needs to help them.

Well written, wry and extraordinarily moving in it's grasp of what "in the weeds" intelligence collection does to the collectors, this book is a must read for potential spooks.

Wink is one of humanity's gems. A brilliant man, genius perhaps. Where would the world be without 'Gambit' I wonder? My only response to the question is a nervous shudder.

Wink Martindale is one of TV's best Game Show hosts! From the popular 70's "Gambit" (which I liked so much I used "Gambit" as my CB 'handle' back then) to the most recent "Debt", Wink has kept us playing for so many years! Hopefully we will see more of Wink as host in the future! Meanwhile, this book is a great read as it lets you get to know one of America's favorite hosts a bit better. It also gives you a great insider's look at TV game shows! (Chock full of exclusive "behind the scenes" photos!

To many of us who are still in college, we may only know Wink Martindale from his gameshow "Tic Tac Dough". But there is a lot more to this very talented and gifted man.

Next to the 19 gameshows that he hosted, he had a very sucessfull career in radio, getting his very first start on his hometown's own radio station. He also went on to have a million selling single "Deck Of Cards". Then began his long and still current career as gameshow emcee.

He begins by telling of his childhood in Jackson, Tenessee. He mentions his love and fascination of radio, and his longing to one day be the one announcing the news and playing the music that was heard by everyone for miles around. He also tells of the major influence his brothers and sister had on him, as well as his parents. Also, he tells how he got his nickname of "Wink".

Without giving away too much, I can honestly say, that if you are a fan of Wink, that you will really like this book. Wink is a fantastic writer and keeps you glued to every page. When I first started reading his book, I looked at the clock a while later and didn't realize that an hour and a half had passed!

There are also A LOT of photos and a nice collection of color photos in the center of the book.

I give this book 5 stars, because of the many autobiographies that I have read lately, this one is not only informative, but also heartwarming and entertaining.

Highly Recommended

A great book which introduces the reader to history starting from World War II. Covers topics from the nuclear arms race to the creation of the European Union. Very engaging book and not boring like many others. Pick this one up.

This book definetely among the best modern international history books that I have read. The text is clear and concise and uses new information revealed since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Furthermore, the book is of a suitable length and utilizes a writing style that is informative and yet, not too bland. A casual reader and a history buff could both use this book well.

Positively framed and very well described, indeed one of the best books describing the changing world since 1945.

The latest from the pen of Wayne Mutza is a highly readable history of the Douglas Skyraider's service during the wars waged across Southeast Asia in the 1960s and early 1970s. It functions on several levels, being the story of the aircraft, its service with all combatants and in often obscure areas, and the courage of the men who flew and maintained it.
Mutza's text, from an overview of the Spad's genesis to appendices guaranteed to delight the most detail-oriented historian, shows him at the top of his form as both researcher and writer. The selection of illustrations, photographs, and patches is superior to anything available to date on the Spad regardless of the period considered.
If there are any negative points, they are minor within the overall work and rest squarely on the publisher's head. Schiffer has once again yielded to temptation, negating a careful selection of cover photographs made by the author, being miserly with space and color for photos, and even changing the title on a whim.
As with any title carrying Wayne Mutza's name, this one is worth buying and keeping.

"Spads Last War" is the real thing. Mutza gathered a great collection of photos taken by the guys that were there, doing it, and stories written by them. He also includes a concise history of USA involvement in South-East Asia, of the Spad itself, and the diverse operations it was involved in.

Wayne also managed to capture the essence of the Spad Driver brotherhood. Vietnam was probably the last war to see manned propeller-driven tactical aircraft. Sorta like being part of the last horse cavalry. I can't describe the emotional bond, not sure anyone has, but Wayne comes as close as I've seen.

Well done Wayne, and thanks.

A former VA-165 "Boomer"

Louise L Hay cannot fail to please. I found this tape very relaxing and useful as background reassurance and support whilst doing chores. Both Louise and Dr Wayne W Dyer offer positive thoughts and an alternative way to conduct your life. There are many examples of how we sometimes choose to behave and there are suggestions on how we may approach change, if that is what we want. The overall message invites the opportunity to live a truly free life and offers guidance to help find YOUR way.

These two cassettes changed my life! I listen to these tapes on my way to work and everytime I listen I get something new from it and experience another life transforming idea. These tapes opened up the pathways for self-love for me which was the doorway to my self-enlightenment and spiritual journey.