Written in an interview/conversational format as a man who earns his living through telephone sales learns how we establish rapport with others, effective communication skills and how to overcome his personal phobia of the telephone, etc.

I have given copies of this book to others, who thoroughly enjoyed it and they in turn have also given copies of the book to others.

Communication and understanding of what produces desired interaction in this language driven world of ours is looked at critically with some very helpful, easily understandable and useful suggestions and/or ideas.

The reader also learns about how the mind processes information and in so doing assists the reader to tear down walls that separate us as individuals from others in the very human desire to make worthwhile human connection with others.

Enjoy the fun of learning how one's primary/preferred neurological stimulus affects our every day decisions and even the words we primarily use.

I very highly recommend "The Phone Book" by Zarro, et al. to anyone who communicates and desires to do so more effectively. This short, easy read paperback book is packed with facts and information that is a must to all. A true classic!

Like his other books by master teacher Richard Zarro, this is a welcome addition to anyone's library.

This book focuses on the major urban centers in the 10/40 window. The background and statistical informaton for each city (including unreached peoples) is laid out in easy to read format. A map is also provied for each city and can help one keep the city in perspective. Specific prayer requests are listed for each city. I have found this book to be an excellent companion book to Praying Through the Window III: The Unreached Peoples. Using these books in tandem will not only make your prayer life more focused, but will also give you a deeper appreciation for other peoples around the world.

This book is a must for people interested in fermentation technology and bioprocess engineering. It covers a wide variety of topics: from microbial screening to effluent treatment. In between all the aspects of fermentation are covered: inoculum, sterilization, media development, monitoring and control, aeration and agitation, fermenter vessels and design, downstream processing, economics. I think that anyone in the biochemical engineering/biotechnology field should have it.

Edward Swift is one of my favorite authors. This book made me laugh out loud and then weep for joy in knowing that a great author like him is writing and living in our midst. Has Oprah heard about this guy? His book, "My Grandfather's Finger" captured my heart and imagination a few years ago and since then I have read all of his books that I can find in print. Such a gift he has for capturing the souls of human beings on paper. Thank you Edward Swift for touching me in a way that no other author has been able to.

Steve Zaloga is one of the leading scholars on Russian and Warsaw Pact armor, and this book was one of the first to take advantage of the new information that became available after the fall of the Soviet Union. It traces the development of the weapon and its deployment by Russia, its allies, and the third world customers who bought the export versions. Zaloga also reveals the Soviet designations for the various subtypes. The Russian obsession with secrecy meant that many spurious designations appeared in NATO manuals on the subject, and the author finally clears up the actual designations of the variant models. The T-72's poor performance in combat is examined and the reasons are discussed, and it is compared to its design rivals, the T-64 and the T-80. There is a nice selection of pictures of all subtypes, and a color center section by artist Peter Sarson shows the markings and camouflage of the vehicle. This title is aimed at model builders, wargamers and those with a casual interest in military technology, but the format is too limited for the dedicated historian or defense analyst.

The book has a very interesting review of the princicipal topics of Critical Care Medicine. The chapters of Trauma,are very important for the knowledge of the medical team. The part of phisiopatology is the key in the understanding the principal problems of a patient critical ill. Chapter of IMAGIN is the basis of others parts of the book , in spite of the fact that , if we are able to evaluate the information of rx, all type of scans, we give a good patient care . The information about de manegement of childs is very interesting. Here are the chapters, I like more: Cardio Coronary-Cerebral Resuscitation Pediatric Resuscitation Invasive and Noninvasive Monitoring Rapid Identification of Coronary Artery Insufficiency Medical Toxicology in Critical Care Physiologic Response To Injury Acute Pain in the Intensive Care Unit Intensive Care Management of the Injured Child Burn Care and Inhalation Injury Trauma to the Pregnant Patient Trauma Care of the Elderly IMAGING Cytokines in Disease Regulation of Gene Expression INFECTIOUS DISEASE Malaria and Other Tropical Infections in the Intensive Care Unit Antimicrobial Resistance ENDOCRINOLOGY, METABOLISM, NUTRITION, PHARMACOLOGY

Thanks Fernando Estrada estrada_fernando@hotmail.com

Here we find a collection of essays from French Philosopher and Dramatist Gabriel Marcel. Simultaneously profound and original, Marcel delves deeply into such concepts as Evil and Ontology, offering forth opinions that are neither prejudiced nor tanted. It was Marcel's method of exploration that led me to him, if it could be called exploration. The late Philosopher would have preferred the term exegesis, for he saw vaguely spiritual things in everyday life and human interaction.

This book examines the hypothesis that innovation is easier during wartime than peacetime. It does so by considering a number of historical shifts of interest, and the technological inputs. It concludes with discussion about how a military can keep itself in touch with where technology may be going, and the difficulties of doing so.

Rosen adopts a tight definition for the term "innovation", requiring a major shift in doctrine or practice. The introduction of radar to the RAF is, for instance, not an innovation, because the RAF had already undertaken the doctrinal shift towards integrated air defence, through the policy shift away from bombers to fighters and the establishment of ground stations. True innovation may require the raising and acceptance of new strategic measures of effectiveness. This is a key reason why innovation can be as readily implemented in peacetime as in wartime; in wartime, the tendency is to discard risky ideas and focus on what is known to work.

The analysis is backed by a historical base of case studies, and turns up some surprises. He argues, for instance, that the British introduced the tank about as rapidly as was feasible - it was coupled to a new strategic measure based on minimising casualties, the zero-sum gain of infantry units versus tank units, and the need to gain tactical experience. The raising of naval aviation in the US Navy versus the Royal Navy is a useful example of how a new technology may require a reversal in primacy of extant technologies (ships and aircraft), with success or otherwise thus riding on doctrinal change. The US Army experience of raising the airborne cavalry concept points to a minimum time of about a decade for full acceptance of innovation. Truly successful innovation can and will withstand substantial setbacks if there is confidence in the strategic measures and concepts, as seen in the US Marine Corps invasion of Tarawa versus (implicitly) the Australian & New Zealand experience at Gallipoli.

Given that innovation may require a change in strategic measures, Rosen observes that new technologies are most rapidly introduced top-down - that is, a technology can and will be rapidly introduced if it presents a compelling strategic advantage and can be fielded through a small force. A notable example is the French mitrailleuse, a precursor to the machine gun, which was regarded as being a strategic weapon and hence not deployed into wider service. Subsequent to the book's publication, one might make similar observations about the uptake of stealth and space technology.

Rosen concludes that a Type II investment strategy is both effective and feasible for handling (technological) innovation; that is, one cannot predict which of a range of technologies will pan out, but can have in place a strategy for exploiting those technologies that do. Notably, the acquisition of equipment can come quite late in the innovation process, building on early work in doctrinal and strategic change. Within this, a key indicator is if the process is being lead by someone with an impeccable conventional background, who can shepherd the careers of the new staff officers who will go on to implement and support the new systems.

Overall, I found the evidence presented in a well-organised and well-written manner, and the conclusions compelling.

The descripton on the back of this book led me to believe that it was going to be a very exciting and captavating book. I found the book to be slow moving and at times hard to follow. It took me well into the 100 page mark before I got caught up in the story. I had to force myself to keep reading to that mark and after that I was caught up in the story.

The main thing about this book is that there is three main stories with about 4 to 5 subplots. I was given too much information about people who are minor characters. I enjoyed reading about all the characters, than Robinson would begin to tell you about someone that is only mentioned once. I didn't mind the first time, but after the 5th or 6th time, it got to me a little. I have to give kudos for the main character Alan Banks. I thought that he was an odd person, but it fit in well with sitution, as only he would keep interested with this crime. I really did enjoy the mystery. I enjoyed the twists (think usual suspects) and the way they weave together. At times, I thought that Robinson had a hard time keeping all the stories twined together and fought to keep it interesting. I think that it was ruined for me, as I figured out who-dun-it half way into the book. (Which I usually never can do)

I recommend this book to people that don't give up on books. I enjoyed the book in the end, but first you have to get over all the muck in the first half of the story.

This book is the first by Peter Robinson I have ever read. I picked it up because it was covered with blurbs from every major newspaper and magazine, so it seemed like a safe bet. I was not disappointed.

My favorite thing about the novel was the way it switched between several points of view in several time periods. As the mystery unfolds in the present, the story develops in the past, and the balance between the narratives is perfect and seamless. The characters are vividly drawn, and the plot constantly engaging.

The only thing that bothered me about the book was that it is obviously part of a series featuring Inspector Banks, and brief parts of the book are spent dwelling on events of previous books, and setting up situations for future books. But I know some people like their series detective novels to have a certain amount of story continuity between volumes, so I won't quibble too much. I'll definitely be checking out other books by Robinson.

This book is just a small departure from the normal Detective Banks format, but Peter Robinson is a gem when it comes to British murder mysteries. His books just keep getting better, and this book is so beautifully crafted that you are drawn into the story and wonderful characters. Each Inspector Banks book moves us further into his life and ties us closer to his very believable characters.This book takes a short detour into the past with a wonderfully creditable portrayal of wartime England, while moving the reader subltly along in Bank's life. Incredibly good read, stayed up all night to finish it. Peter Robinson sets new standards for British police proceedurals. Can hardly wait until the next one! I strongly recommend that you read absolutely every Inspector Banks mystery you can lay your hands on!!

I've been a King fan for years, but have recently become bored with his writing style (my over-exposure to it, I think), so I thought the co-authored Talisman would be a nice change of pace. Well, I have to tell you that at first I was not at all impressed. In fact, I put the book down twice, for a month each time! The first few chapters (until Jackie actually finds out about and goes to the Territories, an alternate dimension of our world) are SO overdone King. Shades of the Shining, as Jack and his mother flee to a basically abandoned and pretty creepy hotel, shades of Hearts of Atlantis in the oceanside amusement park. When Jack, the 12 year old hero, meets the magical older man who starts him on his journey, I was just about to throw the book out the window!! But (here's the helpful part of the review...) read on, because from that point on is where the book gets interesting.

Now, plot-wise, this one is your pretty basic good-versus-evil kind of story. Jack has to brave and surpass many tests during his quest cross-country to get the mystical Talisman that will save his mother (dying of Cancer) and the multiple dimensions of the world. Some of the better characters like Wolf are extremely well done, add a lot of interest to the story, and offer pretty blatent commentary on the state of the environment in our world, or at least in the US. Probably the best written section of the book is smack dab in the middle, when Jack and his friend Wolf are incarcerated in Sunlight Gardener's Home for Boys. The end is weak and underdeveloped...seems like the author's got tired of it and just wanted to finish it quickly!

I've never read Peter Straub before, but I would say it was pretty easy to tell King's voice from Straub's. I imagine it is quite a challenge, for the editors as much as the authors, to get through a collaborative project such as this successfully. All things considered, I did enjoy the story, and would say that if you like King, you will enjoy this book as well.

Best-selling authors Stephen King and Peter Straub proved themselves a dynamic duo when they collaborated and conceived "The Talisman."
Fantasy and reality collide in this whirlwind tale as "The Talisman" chronicles the journey of a young boy attempting to save his dying mother. After meeting an eccentric old man in an amusement park, Jack Sawyer becomes aware of an alien realm called the Territories. Jack must trek across America, facing the evil creatures of the Territories and of this world, to retrieve a valuable prize that can save his mother's life.
The book, while very enthralling, can crawl at points and some sequences feel as if they don't relate to the plot, which is distracting to the reader.
The two authors each have a noticeably distinct style, making it obvious when one author stops writing and the other starts. Any avid King fan can recognize his trademark style. Straub has the amazing ability to define scenes down to the finest detail.
The novel is well-devised with the effort of both authors and very pleasant to read. The vivid descriptions make the unforgettable characters come alive. Scenes become so astonishingly real that it's more like watching a movie than reading a book.
With great descriptions, interesting characters and two great authors holding the reins, "The Talisman" is a success.

I finished reading The Talisman mere moments ago. I must say that I read those final pages with a smile on my face; following Jack Sawyer on his quest was a pleasure. I have always been a Stephen King fan and this book has done nothing to dissuade that opinion. Classic stories of good versus evil, as in this case, renew that childhood innocence that no matter how bad things seem everything will turn out for the best in the end.

King and Straub have done a wonderful job of taking readers on the journey of a child that is forced to deal with adult issues - to adapt based on his own understanding of how the world works. Somehow the insights of the thirteen year old (Jack) see beyond the façades of people and into the truth in all realities.

I don't wish to spoil the book for you - read and I promise you won't be disappointed. For those of you that only have a vague idea about what Stephen King books are like, don't expect a gory horror novel. King's stories usually involve a journey or an evolution for his characters; they are different people from whence they began. His stories do include some of the fantastic - but that magic is what reminds us of what it was like to be kids again ourselves.