I just received my copy of Chicken Soup for the Prisoners Soul. What a beautiful book! I am the leader of Prison Fellowship Ministries at my church, and I am often questioned on this ministry I choose to serve. People don't question other ministries. If you help the elderly or people of poverty everyone pats you on the back. Our ministry is not as easily accepted. Many are baffled as to why anyone would bother.

I'm going to order a box of books for my volunteer group. It is a must for prison ministry volunteers! Plus I will keep a copy on hand at work. For now on when I am asked, "Why," I will loan out your book. Thank you so much for caring about the forgotten ones. It is actually a loved one in prison who told me about your book. He said it's helping him cope with doing his time."

Antonette Flamenco

Thank you! Finally someone has addressed the possibility that there are real people in prison! Kudos on your collection of wonderful stories. Even though one can make a mistake, I believe there can be forgivness and good in all. This book gives us a glimpse of the hearts of many prisoners that are forgotten. God can and does work through them. We outside can learn much by way of theses short poignant tales. I have used a number of them in class. Great cartoons! Is there a second book in the works?

Teacher in PA

As an educator in a state correctional facility, I am always looking for reading material that can interest and inspire. As a human being struggling with the difficulties of my own little life, working with human being beings who for many reasons are going through the very difficult life experience of incarceration has assisted me in my own soul growth and the awareness of the one soul by which we are all connected.
Reading "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul" before I read it in class with my adult incarcerated students aided that development. I bought copies of the book for my students to read in class. Each student practiced his story. Then read it to the class. We have had many soul-stirring discussions.
I have never been the victim of a violent crime. I feel very much for victims and their families. The sections of the book that moved me to reflect on forgiveness were the ones telling about the forgiveness of the victim's family member for the perpetrator. I have trouble forgiving small slights. To read about the forgiveness of a violent crime that led to a taken life...well, I am still working on that. We live. We think. We change. This book encourages new thoughts to enter my mind and new changes in awareness of the soul.

We all look back on our childhoods and remember how much simpler life was then. As Tom Asacker points out through the use of a simple, yet powerful parable, there's no reason, that has to change when we grow up and become professionals. "Sandbox Wisdom" instructs us how to remove the shackles of business theory and corporate rules and apply the power of child-like wonderment to the world of business. In doing so, we learn to be more creative, open-minded and, as a result, more attuned to what it is that makes our customers buy from us. Most business books make you say, "huh?" "Sandbox Wisdom" makes you say, "aha!"

What a treat it was to read Sandbox Wisdom. But better yet, putting the principals to work that Tom's book teaches is even more rewarding. Thank you Tom for taking me back to the basics that I have managed to smother with my life's experiences. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who interacts with people....... My gosh, I guess that's everyone.

This is a great book about building a brand and a business that is wonderfully disguised in a work of prose. "Sandbox Wisdom" instructs us how to apply the power of child-like wonderment to the world of business. In doing so, we learn to be more creative, open-minded, enthusiastic, honest, and happy. The wisdom presented throughout the story is easy to digest, and the simple, playful, and honest style of the text helps the reader take to heart the lessons learned for business as well as for life.

This really is "the most complete volume of networking technologies" available. Tom Sheldon's encyclopedia includes both a CD-ROM and a companion website. The companion website includes updates (e.g., errata) to the hardcopy volume as well as the entire previous edition of the encyclopedia free for download. The topics covered are comprehensive of the broad field of networking. I have found the entries to be up-to-date and error free. This is a significant feat for a 1430 page book! I intend to use this encyclopedia to help me prepare lectures for undergraduate courses. The entry on Cable and Wiring at 17 pages (plus additional pages for TIA/EIA Structured Cabling) is everything an undergraduate student needs to know about this important area. Looking at the list of covered topics, I cannot think of anything that is missing. For each topic, web sites are listed for further study. For most topics, a URL for a linktionary entry is given. Linktionary is Tom Sheldon's supporting website (which is not yet fully "up" as of October 10, 2001 - but should be "up" some time in October). This encyclopedia appears to be aimed at an IT management or high-level techie audience. There is no "code" (e.g., C program listings to demonstrate sockets) or low-level details (e.g., HTTP message formats) in the encyclopedia. However, the CD-ROM includes most key RFCs in the complete form. I rate this encyclopedia as a "must buy" for the library of a network administrator, student, or manager that needs a ready resource (even faster and certainly much more reliable than doing random google searches!) on the rapidly changing field of networks.

Firstly I'd like to say...Thanks Tom, for helping to keep me in a job! Up until recently I worked as a Network Administrator in Sydney and believe me, your books saved my bacon on more than a few occasions! I first received the electronic edition of the Encyclopedia of Networking whilst studying Computer Technology and e-business in Sydney. The encyclopedia was included as part of the overall course and many references were made in the college's learning guides to certain chapters when more detailed information was necessary on a particular topic. I'm currently involved in the area of Multimedia and Telecommunications and recently obtained a copy of the latest edition, The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications and am amazed at how much extra and updated information has been included. I keep the book close by at all times and find myself referring to it quite regularly. I could now honestly say that it's become my IT bible! It covers all aspects of networking, the Internet, Electronic Communication, topologies, protocols, security and various configurations in absolute and thorough detail. The encyclopedia also comes with a CD that can be loaded onto your computer as a PDF file and the search facility works brilliantly. I must say that if anyone is involved in, or wants to know anything about Networking and Telecommunications this book is an absolute must! Personally, I can't see how I could do my job without it. Thanks a million Tom! ...John Botica

I picked this volume up at TechEd 2001. The competition with other books in this category brought the race down to "McGraw-Hill's Encyclopedia of Networking & Telecommunications" winning by one length over the "Microsoft Encyclopedia of Networking".
Tom Sheldon provided the most well-grounded and well-rounded information to fulfill the title of an "encyclopedia of networking" compared to Mitch Tulloch's very good but more Microsofted (I think microsoft as a verb can now come into play) approach to the subject and its fields.
Sheldon's book contains a greater variety of entries and their corresponding information (i.e. terms/acronyms like "NSA" & "PKI") instead of a namebrand focused presentation. I would like to see a "Special Characters" index category like Tulloch's book has, but this is not as necessary when using the search capability of the book's CD edition (which is included and loaded with hyperlinks to outside information sources).
I highly recommend Tom Sheldon's book. It's useful, it's layout and design is easy on the eyes, and I'm glad to have it at my desk (when I'm able to return it there after tracking down who last borrowed it).

Last week I finished "Jump Start Your Business Brain" and gave a report to the marketing group. Upon review of our marketing efforts, we found that we were selling the features of lean manufacturing and not showing potential clients the benefits and competitive business advantage to be gained. We also decided to market with more clarity to the client "reasons to believe." We landed two new contracts this week. Could be a coincedence, but more likely a result from putting to use Doug Hall's techniques outlined in "Jump Start Your Business Brain." Look for Doug's techniques to be used on the TSD web site. I feel so strongly about Doug's book that I am going to recommend that TSD try and provide a link to Doug's web sites!

What separates this book from others I have read is that the information is based on extensive research not subjective opinions. This allows the author to be very specific and direct with the "how-to's" of positioning, branding, and new product ideation. The examples provided illustrate and were very confincing that the marketing principles being communicated work. I have never seen this type of evidence in other marketing books. I was very impressed with the significant increase in results these businesses experienced by utilizing the methods from the book. I learned a lot despite having 20+ years of marketing experience at top marketing companies.

If you're tired of 1) the same old trite ideas on business success and/or 2) books lacking any quantifiable basis or proof, then you'll really enjoy Jump Start Your Business Brain! Doug Hall has a long and proven track record of successul innovation consulting with some of America's biggest and best companies. What makes him even more unique is his ability to distill what works, why and how to do it into understandable concepts. This book is full of both anecdotes and analysis. You won't have to take Doug's word for it; the data provides exceptional credibility. As someone who read approximately 100 business books a year, this is definitely one of my favorites.

This book is a must read for anyone looking to secure lasting relationships with clients and employees. It provides a great framework and reference on how to approach prospects and retain key people necessary for building a successful organization. I found the book to be grounded in reality versus theoretical management speak. It's about time someone put in writing what some people have been trying to pass along by word of mouth for many years. This will definitely be a must read for everyone in my organization, support staff and consultants alike.

Tom Richardson and Augusto Vidaurreta, the founders of the Systems Consulting Group, have had tremendous success since the late 1980's using some of the obvious techniques necessary in business that we all know are important, but sometimes forget to practice. For the seasoned business professional BUSINESS IS A CONTACT SPORT easily defines and labels terms for the principals we know are important for us to succeed, but didn't know how to organize them to teach them to new entrants into the business world. Business leaders should read and develop a cheat sheet of the 12 principals and post it as a reminder of what we need to be doing each day. BUSINESS AS A CONTACT SPORT has been tested and passed with high grades from some of our best business schools. RAM, Relationship Asset Management and CRO, Chief Relationship Officer will become a standard in the evolving business world. Managers need to arms their sales staff with this book as well as department heads and HR personnel.

I have spent the past several evenings with the recently published book, "Business is a Contact Sport," and re-reading many parts of it.
As the Director of Corporate Relations of a publicly traded corporation (annual revenues of $2.5 billion), I am responsible for public rleations, investor relations, community relations, relations with government officials, etc. I have previous experience as a government public affairs officer. From this perspective, I found the book and its principles on "relationship management" to be a well-organized treatise for any CEO or management executive to use as a guide in reviewing and managing the intricate and complex relationships of his or her own total organization.
It is a truly excellent, thought-provoking and inspired work that gives us a fresh reminder that relationships (with whomever) are critically important assets. Many of the ideas are not only original (creating a Chief Relationship Officer, or CRO position, for example), but also border on the revolutionary, and are presented in an interesting and thoroughly readable fashion. The real-world examples from recent successes and failures in both the business and sporting worlds bring relevance the arguments and reinforce the principles being espoused.
I am sure many business people will keep this book handy as a reference book and as a source from which to steal some good quotes when doing their own business writing. I know I will.

Tom Brown jr is a master at teaching how not to fear nature. We should all have had an upbringing like his so we can fully appreciate the world around us. The stories took me back to my own youth and I could feel myself travelling along with Tom and Rick. A very vivid picture is created throughout the book. A must read for anyone who spends time in nature...trackers, birders, hunters, hikers

After reading Tracker, I read all of T. Brown's books. His books detail the story of his childhood apprenticeship with an Apache Indian, Stalking Wolf, in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. An unlikely story in a modern world, where in the 1950s and 60s, a boy learns to commune with nature on a profound level. Tracker's collection of stories entices you to want to know more about how Tom Brown learned to read animal and human tracks

There are a few books that I have encountered in my years - books that have not only changed me for their reading them, but changed the very way that I look at the world. The Tracker, by Tom Brown is one of these.

The Tracker chronicles the boyhood and amazing exploits in early life of Tom Brown-outdoorsman, conservationist, environmental activist and 'tracker' in the tradition of Apache Scouts of the American southwest. A tradition and way of life taught to him by his friend and adopted Apache Grandfather Stalking Wolf.

From their first meeting when Tom was seven years old a relationship and mentoring grew and forever altered an Irish-American boy growing up in the Pine Barrens area of southeast New Jersey. Tom gains training that will forever alter the way he looks at and relates to the world both physically and spiritually.

Tom Brown was always a bit different in his boyhood interests. While other New Jersey boys in the 1960s were eager to bicycle to vacant lots for baseball or touch football - Tom would lie on his stomach in his backyard for hours watching the coming and going of insects, or closely study the natural wonder locked in a wildflower's structure. His collection of animal skulls and other natural curios brought to 'show and tell' shocked his school teachers.

He felt alone and misunderstood completely until a chance meeting with Rick, a boy with similar interests that would make him Tom's best friend, cohort, and blood brother for life. Even more fantastic would be the relationship Tom would discover with Rick's 80-some year old Apache Grandfather Stalking Wolf. Grandfather, as both boys called him, would become their "coyote teacher" in the ways of the woods, the ways of the Scout-becoming one with the woods and even greater, the mystery of "the spirit that moves in all things".

From wild dog encounters, to playing in the midst of Army war games, the adventures these two boys encounter in their journey defies belief. Incredible true adventures from stalking and touching wild deer to boldly defending the New Jersey wilderness from those who would abuse her beauty. To tell more would rob you of the great thrill of reading this first book by Tom Brown. An excellent choice for anyone to read, especially, ESPECIALLY young adults.

This book was a delightful surprise. I expected to read yet another business book directed solely toward owners, executives, and managers. This specialized audience will gain quite a lot from this book, but so will "ordinary employees." 22 Keys is an Everyman's book, written in a tone that encourages focused initiative by all sorts of readers. Not only does this approach add value to the book, it makes it much more salable in bulk to companies interested in changing their work environment.

Corporate culture has been defined as "what it feels like to work here." Terez has captured what people are looking for in today's work environment in his exploration of what it takes to create a meaningful workplace. Before going any further, it's important to list the 22 Keys. As you read this list, pause at each one and think about how it relates to your personal situation. Purpose, Direction, Relevance, Validation, Respect, Equality, Informality, Flexibility, Ownership, Challenge, Invention, Support, Personal Development, Dialogue, Relationship Building, Service, Acknowledgement, Oneness, Self-Identity, Fit, Balance, and Worth.

Each key is presented in a chapter heavily seasoned with vignettes that hold the reader's attention. Not all the stories have happy endings, making this book even more valuable. It's not a quick-and-easy-guide-to-Nirvana, but is a realistic presentation. Questions challenge the reader's thinking and, hopefully, stimulate behavior. Actions by others are described to build a sense of confidence that the reader can also do these things and make a difference.

The book has a number of features that increase its readability and usefulness. Reality checks at the end of each chapter focus the reader's attention. Did you get the message? Quotations, liberally sprinkled throughout the book, stimulate thought. I felt the author could have done with a few less quotes, but that's a very minor issue. One of the pages I turned down (there were many) marks a quote by Albert Einstein: "Not everything that can be counted counts, but not everything that counts can be counted." When we're all looking to measure our performance, yet at the same time achieve life-work balance, the quote is meaningful. Ah! Meaningful. The objective of the book: well-achieved. The action plans will help you get started to make a difference in your organization.

This book will be around for a while. It fits comfortably with what needs to be done in the world of work-in the private sector, in government, in non-profits, in education. If it isn't on your shelf yet, now is the time to get a copy, read it, and share it. I read the hardcover edition.

Many who experience the workplace on a daily basis might find the phrase "meaningful workplace" to be a little contradictory. In light of this cultural reality, Tom Terez has offered a research based and reality based approach to creating a workplace that engages people beyond the "labor" of the job and into the realm of the heart and mind. 22 Keys to Creating a Meaningful Workplace is not only an entertaining read, it offers great hope to both those who desire more out of their 9 to 5 and those determined to improve the work cultures they manage. Organizational Development people-- Tom Terez will help you find the heart of the organization. Baldrige people-- Here is your 5.3 (Employee Wellbeing and Satisfaction). Human Dynamics people-- Get to know this common sense approach to building relationships. This is not a good book-- it's a great book-- for anyone ready to create and/or work in a Meaningful Workplace.

This book provides so much useful information -- practical action ideas, real stories about real people, profiles of meaningful workplaces, a meaningful workplace scorecard, even "believe it or not" sidebars that show what really goes on in some organizations. My favorite sections were the end-of-chapter "reality checks," which you can use to evaluate your workplace in terms of the 22 "keys." These quickie assessments helped me and my colleagues take the temperature of our current situation -- and we've been using this as a starting point for focused conversation and improvement planning. If you want to increase job satisfaction -- your own and your colleagues' -- this book is required (and fun!) reading.

This book tells the story of Soviet Yankee I-class missile submarine K-219. This incident happened in 1986 and already then Soviet armed forces were in rather bad condition. K-219 is sent to American east coast for patrol duty and it experiences difficulties from beginning of journey. In fact there has been major problems before this journey. Troubles really start when one of the missiles explodes due to malfunction.

This book was interesting for several reasons. First it gives the reader a view in what kind of shape Soviet Navy was during last stages of communism and how politics were always most important thing and everything else came only after it (maybe). It also gives reader view how US Navy hunts submarines, how well (or bad) USN and other branches of service ie. US Air Force in this book co-operate. Also for once one of the bad guys is American; commander of US attack sub USS Augusta.

Text was easy, fluent and fast to read and photo section is ok for paperback (pics are clear enough to really see what kind of monster K-219 was). One thing that bothers me after reading this book is that if Soviet Navy was in such a bad condition during communist era in what condition are Russian Navy vessels today? Luckily their ships and subs rust most of the time in port due to lack of funds.

Through my work as Exec. Asst. to the Exec. Dir. of the Navy League of the U.S., I met member Peter Huchthausen when he introduced Igor Kurdin to the NLUS as an associate member. I became their liaison. Through this I have worked with young hero Sergei Preminin's high-school teacher, who created a small museum to his heroism. Then on 8/4/97 at a dinner in his honor at the Officers Club of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, I was privileged to be seated at the head table with and to meet the brave Russian sub commander, Igor Britanov, who saved our East Coast from a Chernobyl, and probably thus headed off WWIII. I was honored to be made a member of the St. Petersburg Club of Sailors and Submariners that evening. Peter Huchthausen did painstaking research, as did his coauthor Igor Kurdin to create this book. It is riveting, utterly compelling, heart-wrenching, and true. Although I have read it three times and highlighted much, plus viewing the HBO slightly-altered and less grippingly true rendition, I still weep for these brave men. This is the sign of a well-written book! It captures vividly the heart and soul of these men, and what they courageously endured. To read of them and meet them in person is to love them for their bravery and decency. I have never seen a face radiate more goodness than Captain Britanov's. I highly recommend this book to everyone I engage in conversation on the subject. I only wish that it had received much more publicity, in hard and soft cover.

Maybe you remember. The book says something to the extent that, "a certain event almost jeopardized the summit meeting with Reagan and Gorbechav." This book tells you what that event was. It is a TRUE story. A very haunting story, and I'm one who lives in southern Arizona, far away from the scene of this event. This book is like a Hunt for Red October from hell. I won't tell you ANYTHING about what happens, because it is important that you read this yourself. Another classic example of our government hiding things from us hard-working blue-collar workers. Another amazing thing about this story is that IT READS LIKE A NOVEL, but it isn't. At the end, I found myself CHEERING for the RUSSIANS because the Americans were (sorry) so STUPID and SELFISH. To many people, "russians" is synonymous with "evil". I hope this book changes your view of the Russians, as it changed mine--they are no better or worse than we are, as we are all human beings.

Based on the other reviews, and my own respect for Ham Jordan, I had been expecting a lot from this book. I was, frankly, disappointed. Mr. Jordan has written a mish-mash of a book. His stories of his tenure in Vietnam, his time in the White House, and (most bizarrely) a distant relative's participation in the civil rights struggle have very little to do with his struggle against cancer (at least he doesn't relate them to each other well). His account of his own battles, while full of advice about how to get the best cancer care, really do not go into much detail about his despair or how it changed his life (other than when he basically says that he appreciates each day more). I had expected a more coherent package. If you want to know a little more about Ham Jordan, this isn't a bad book, but it's neither really about cancer nor about his political or personal career (the book does not even mention his current occupation).

THIS BOOK WHICH I JUST FINISHED MADE FOR A VERY PLEASANT READ BY AN AUTHOR WHO IS CLEARLY MUCH MORE OF A FINE PERSON THAT ANYONE MY AGE(41) OR OLDER WOULD HAVE THE IMPRESSION LEFT OVER FROM THE CARTER DAYS.I DEFINITELY RECCOMEND THIS BOOK TO NOT JUST THOSE TOUCHED IN ANY WAY BY CANCER BUT ANYONE INTERESTED IN A STORY ABOUT A MAN WHO HAS LED AN INSPIRING LIFE.HATS OFF TO HAMILTON JORDAN,A GOOD GUY.

I was a bit skeptical about this book because I expected it was just politics...what a surprise! The moving story of one man whose three battles with cancer have shaped his attitude and life in powerful and wonderful ways. Well written, funny at places, touching at others......I did not put it down and read it straight through. Made me feel good to read it and recommend it wihout reservation. It will touch your life.

"Shakespeare In Love" is one of my favorite movies of all time. Everything about the movie was brilliant--acting, screenplay, customes, etc. I'm a college student who has had a year of in-depth Shakespeare courses and I *know* it is fiction but it was the best kind of fiction--one that made you love the characters even more and want to re-read the plays for years to come. I loved all the inside jokes.

To be frank, I've seen the movie more times than I'd like to admit. I was going to give this book four stars based on the movie (the movie was excellent, but not the year's best, even if it is my preferred one), but that wouldn't be honest. This review is about the screenplay, not the movie. Besides, the best part of the movie is the script, anyway. Boastful, light-hearted, and delightful, this romp plays around with you, targeting you with its acid wit. It is also completely fictional, so don't expect much truth in it, even if the background and some of the history is real (including the subtle fact that Shakespeare really didn't have his own stories, with exception to two of his plays). There was no Viola, nor was there a Lord Wessex. This script is not to be taken seriously. But even if you are serious, you'll find yourself defrosting around the edges by the time you flip to page two.

How can anyone dislike this film and screenplay? Perhaps the information wasn't all 100%accuarate, but writers and moviemakers often use creative license when producing a film with such a historic main character.

This movie was worthy of a best picture nod, perhaps not as much as Life Is Beautiful, and should be considered a classic in centuries to come. You would have to be completely dense to not like what this movie stands for--love at first sight.

As for the homosexuality of Shakespeare--did anyone ever personally ask him about his sexual preferance? Even if he was homosexual--who cares--THIS IS A MOVIE!

And a great one at that!