As a professional speaker I find Mr. Antion's book, priceless. I read excerpts of the book several times before I do a major presentation. I especially love the technique of putting one's audience in a joyful and happy mode before going on stage. Tom calls this, "In-fun." This technique contributes immeasurably to the huge success I have had in my programs. I read this section of "In-fun" before going to bed the night of my event, visualizing my audience having the best time of their lives, as Tom teaches. The result never ceases to amaze me. I cannot thank Mr. Tom Antion enough for a job very well done. This book, "Wake 'em Up" indeed is priceless. It is a must for all engaged in giving presentations.

This book will not help you tell jokes. It describes how to make your presentations more entertaining. Tom Antion's secrets on room setup and how to open a speech are worth more than the price of the book. Whether you are speaking to a large group or to a small sales meeting, the tips in this book will help you get your point across.

For coverage, click on Table of Contents in the left-hand column of this page.

Tom Antion is a marketing genius who teaches speakers how to speak and how to sell themselves. A gifted professional speaker, he shares his years of experience in these pages.

As a professional speaker and the author of 113 books (including revisions and foreign-language editions) and over 500 magazine articles, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has to get their point across to groups. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com.

Tom's book is a' must have' resource for both novice and experienced speakers. He shares dozens of practical tips that are guaranteed to keep even the stodgiest audience interested and involved. Or, as Tom puts it,keep them from passing through sleep ( zzzzz's), to rapid eye movement sleep ( new and improved zzzzz's) to a comatose state (extra heavy duty industrial strength zzzzz's). Tom also does a great job of helping you identify your audience's needs, and then shows you, step-by-step, how to make your presentation more powerful and more interesting.

As a professional speaker who's used Tom's techniques in my own presentations, I can tell you, these ideas really work - they can help you add just the right touch of humor and lots of excitement to your next speech or seminar. And, what's most important, help your audiences remember your message.

Wake 'em Up is fun, fast-paced, packed with great ideas - and required reading for anyone who has to speak in front of a group.

This book is a MUST read, even though I am a HUGE Reba fan, and somewhat partial!! It is the story of her life, and the lessons she learned while growing up in Oklahoma, as well as, her rise to fame as one of country music's leading ladies. It is the ONLY book that she has had anything to do with writing, with the exception of the upcoming, "Comfort From A Country Quilt" (I CAN'T WAIT!! :-), and therefore, is the only completely true account of her life. I loved this book...It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and I HIGHLY recommend it!!!!! It is a fantastic book!!!! "Forever Love" You Reba!!

For anything you want to know about Reba's life, this IS the book to read. I was not fond of country music of any kind, until I read this book. Now, I am a HUGE Reba McEntire fan..one of the biggest, because I gained enormous respect for her for bringing the truth out to all her fans. This book is funny, sad, sometimes surprising...but always well written, straight from the heart. You will enjoy this book, and the audio is great too because she reads it herself! I highly reccommend it.

I recommend this book to everyone who loves to read it is a great book.. I have been a reba fan for years and when I got her book I read it about 1000 times.. there is alot of lessons in there about life and things and alot of Uplifting stories to boot.

My edition is entitled An Island to Myself, but I'm sure it's the same book. I have two copies. How could you not like this book? Imagine yourself living on an island all alone and enjoying every minute of it -- well, most every minute; there are some rough moments. This is very entertaining reading and is one of those few books that I like to read again and again. Tom Neale was really a very unusual guy. Buy this book if you want something that's a sure pleasure to read. Thank you.

I just happened to come across a very old copy of this book in the local library. I had never heard of the book, much less Tom Neale. Like many people, I too have dreamed about living on a small island in the South Pacific, so I thought I'd give this book a try. Tom Neale did more than just dream, he lived the dream. I was astounded at the amount of knowledge he possessed, and his ability to do such back-breaking work as rebuilding a ruined pier at an age when most men give up manual labor. It's a very readable book. It seems as if Tom Neale is sitting in the room with you, recounting memories of a life he loved very much. Surfing the internet, I found out that he went back to Suvarov for a third time from 1966 to 1977. He died of stomach cancer less than a year after his return and is buried on the island of Rarotonga. To my surprise, I also found out that he had two children, Stella and Arthur. I loved this book, and I can't wait until I get my copy!

"An Island To Oneself" is a real captivating book! Tom Neale describes his way of living - surviving - on Suwarow, a remote island in the South-Pacific. The reader really feels as if he were on the spot while reading this book! The adventures Tom Neale experiences and the way he copes with problems, the rare people he meets,how he gets used to the rythm of the isle.. i found it a superb book! One of Tom Neales friends is the writer Robert Dean Frisbie. I recommend to read the work of his daughter Johnny Frisbie (at the age of 13!), "Miss Ulysses From Puka-Puka", who lived on Suwarow with her father,two sisters and brother during several months in the forties.

This book was one of the first I remember reading. I think I first saw it in first grade. I remember when I first read it, I thought that Machinery was pronounced Mac-Hinery. I mean, what with all the irish references right? Yes, I was young...recently I checked it out from the library again for a trip down memory lane. It still is great, I have to say.

But enough with reminiscing, I loved this book. If your kid likes fantasy at all, treat him to this. My one warning is that it is a little hammy, but it's easy enough to get by. Enjoy!

I first read this great tale in elementary school and throughout the years it has been on my all time favorite list. I now have a young son who has just been born that I would love to share this fine book with. I hope the publisher reconsiders his position of letting the public own a copy of this story.

I discovered "MacHinery" waaay back in grade school and found the characters to be fascinating, especially the Seargeant-Major. I always remembered it and years later as an adult went back to my now closed grade school to see if I could make an offer to buy it. Sr. JoAnn, my 6th grade teacher, refused to take any money for it and simply gave it to me, knowing how much I loved it. Thank you Sister!

Why this hasn't been discovered and made into a movie is beyond me. With the popularity of "Harry Potter", this would be a natural. And why isn't it being published anymore? The dialogue is crisp and believable and the scene where Merlin raises the ghost of William Wallace and the other Scots warriors is funny and priceless! When MacHinery rescues Merlin from the lake and it's guardian, the dragon, is funny also. It's a scene I've "seen" and laughed at many times as I reread the book.

If you get the chance to get a copy of "Sir MacHinery", read it. Again and again and again!

Tom Gillis has written half of the entrepreneur's bible. This book provides great practical advice to students who are embarking on entrepreneurial careers. My students love it. The other text I use in teaching entrepreneurship focuses on business law. Together with Tom's book, they form a "must-have" set of references for every entrepreneur.

It's an exploration of what's needed to be a success in the marketplace. Gillis looks at most things the entrepreneur will experience, from banks and bankers to zero-based budgeting. It's an easy book to read, full of useful insights. The author is a business consultant and executive professor at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Houston, where the book has been adopted as a text book

This isn't your usual "How To" book. Reading this book is as if Author Gillis is speaking to you with advice and successful strategies from someone who's already learned "how to." Gillis, both a lawyer and a CPA, as well as a management consultant, answers the question of "who should read this book?" For example, YOU should read it....
* If you want to learn what it takes to start and run a successful business.
* If you want to understand the stages of growth your company will experience or is going through, and how things can change without your realizing it.
* If you are searching for a mental spark plug to give you new ideas and knowledge for solving your most pressing problems, or
* If you think business is a game and money is the way to keep score.

When discussing "Guts and Borrowed Money, Straight Talk for Starting and Growing Your Small Business, author Gillis says, in part, "I wrote this book because it's one I wish I'd had when I was in business. I'm a firm believer that for every reasonable business problem there's a reasonable business solution.

Divided into two sections, Part One is the foundation and deals with basic information about The Stages of the Game: Idea, Survival, Growth, Big Business. Part Two, organized in A to Z reference style, discusses 265 specific problems common to nearly every small business.

Going back to why he wrote this fine book, Gillis says to "keep your eyes and mind open, think smarter, and work hard. If entrepreneurship were easy, there would be a lot more rich folks. Don't find excuses--find solutions." Then he closes with, "I wish you every success." Again, he talking to his reader, one-on-one

I thought The Hunter and The Hunted was an excellent book, well written and full of action. The characters are all very interesting and the plot was well thought out. This was a "can not put it down" type of book that made you want to turn the page and read more...looking forward to a sequel and wishing for a movie (Bruce Willis as "Mike Redden")

I have never been a real fan of action novels until I got a copy of THE HUNTER AND THE HUNTED. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. It grabbed me in the opening chapter and I kept at it until my wife made me go to bed. Finished it the next day and was really impressed. The story keeps moving. It has peaks and valleys and when you think it's ready to wind down, you're off again! Good characterizations and a great plot. Little too much on the sex side, but it's there for characterization. Mike Redden, the main character, is a good one. I especially liked the relationship he had with Detective Massy. The Vietnam flashback was outstanding. I recommend this book highly, if you can find it.... I've loaned it out to a friend. Looking foward to the next Redden installment..

In spite of some publisher typo lapses, "The Hunter and the Hunted" shines through as one of the best books I've read in the crime-suspense genre in years. It is a true action packed page turner that evokes thoughts of Mike Hammer and Mickey Spillane. The protagonist, Mike Redden, is a good one and his scope for continued editions is excellent. The novel reads like a movie and there is little excess baggage to bog you down. The Marine mentality comes through with flashback scenes to the war in Vietnam and the way Mike Redden equates his "dangerous" situations to pounding through the jungles in southeast Asia. Detective Massy's character is very thought provoking, and you wonder how many cops have his "whatever works" philosophy. Excellent characters on the whole, espcially the dialogue. It is highly entertaining and one of my top picks. Let's see how the author follows up this excellent story with a sequel. The author should consider writing a story on the War in Vietnam. With his exc

In this book, Dr. Wolff introduced audience from basic laws of physics to advanced topics of particle and wave structures. Different from text book, Dr. Wolff talk the physics with his insightful ideas and his enthusiasm to the unknown world, challenging the thoughts and provoking the interests of the readers. This book definitely can be read with profit and fun.

Way back in 1994, we reviewed this excellent little book in our dissident physics journal Galilean Electrodynamics (vol. 5, no. 4, p. 100). Hard copy of the full review is available from the Editor, Dr. Cynthia K. Whitney, 141 Rhinecliff Street, Arlington, MA 02476-7331, USA; e-mail dwhitney@mit.edu. The main point is: "This is an educator's book. It is aimed at students who are bright and curious and not overly indoctrinated. Even quite mature physics dissidents can appreciate this book. Unlike the typical text, it dwells very little on the technical details of established physics, and puts the emphasis instead on that which we do not really know. It gives a wealth of pending research topics and candidate ideas that need to be worked out. "The unknowns are the "why's" behind the most fundamental facts of nature, such as force laws, conservation laws, and relativistic or quantum behaviors. The candidate ideas comprise the author's theory of "space resonances". ..." Enjoy."

In this book Dr. Wolff explains, clearly and concisely, some very difficult and revolutionary concepts regarding the wave structure of matter. The ideas he presents are thought-provoking, yet written clearly enough to be understood by someone with absolutely no background in physics, such as myself. That he accomplishes this with a minimum of mathematical formulas is to his credit. Time will tell, of course,but I believe that his ideas are the sort that future generations will look back upon as being ahead of their time. Exploring the Physics of the Unknown Universe is well-written, well-illustrated, and well worth your time.

Since we frequent Perini's Steakhouse, we know Tom's award-winning cuisine first-hand! His cookbook is a "no-holds barred" approach... giving ALL of his famous recipes from his unbeatable steak rub to green chile hominy to his signature bread pudding with whiskey sauce!

In addition to fabulous recipes, the book also showcases wonderful photography depecting life in West Texas. Sidelines feature insights into several famous Texas ranches.

Your cookbook collection shouldn't be without this book! It is one you will be sure to use often!

The book would be a welcome addition to any cookbook library, but we don't think you will be content looking at this book on a shelf. Our guess is the purchaser will find the book being used over and over. There is a wonderful variety of recipes from which to choose, whether preparing a meal for family or friends from the neighboring ranches or, shoot, if you happen to live in a city then this type of cooking is sure to please. Over the years we have been fortunate to enjoy many pounds of prime rib cooked the Perini way with the flavor of the beef drawn out with his Texas Herb Rub found on page 85, cooked over mesquite coals and served with some of the delicous recipes that can be found in the side dishes section, followed by Tom's bread pudding with whiskey sauce found on page 173, leaves me hoping others will be so fortunate. In additon to recipes, the book is filled with ranch photographs taken by a well-known rancher/photographer and the food photography is stunning. Also the information about historic ranches, ranch cooking and the old photographs will be fascinating to anyone with an interest in real Texas food told by a man who is now sharing great food ideas with you.

Texas Cowboy Cooking by Tom Perini arrived yesterday. It is a cookbook that makes you want to jump up and make the recipes as you are turning the pages of the book. We have already tried the Cowboy Bloody Mary, Lisa's Favorite Caesar Salad, the seasoned olive oil for the Sourdough Bread Chips to use as croutons for the salad and are in the process of making the Sourdough Starter for the Sourdough Bread. It's the best Caesar Dressing that we've tried and the croutons are very good.

The historical information is good and has added color to this cookbook. It is not Texas boastful--simply well done. We plan on giving it as Christmas gifts to family members who have visited us here in Abilene, Texas.

A Rat's Tale is about a young rat named Montague Mad-Rat, or Monty. He lives a boring, solitary existence in the sewers of New York City. His family is almost considered a bunch of criminals, as they've broken almost every major rule of society, like making things with their own paws. Rats should scavenge for things they need, not make them. But nevertheless, his mother makes hats out of feathers, and his father makes sand castles. Neither of them have much time for him. He is very lonely and bored. The only things he has to do is gather feathers and berries for his mother's hats, and paint the seashells his aunt brings him. Then, one day, he meets the girl of his dreams! Her name is Isabella. She is the daughter of the governor of the rats, and she lives in old abandoned Wharf 62, where only the rats of the highest-class live. He can't stop thinking about her! Then he realizes that a rich, sophisticated girl like her could never love a sewer rat like him.
Meanwhile, the humans want to poison the wharves. The rats had stopped them every year by finding loose change and anonomysly offering it to the owner of the wharves. Every year they had collected $10,000. And every year, it had been enough. but this year it wasn't. So their leader (Isabella's Father) decides that they need to double the Rat-Rent (as they call it). But there's no way they can gather $20,000 worth of pennies, dimes and nickels! Then, Monty figures out a way to impress Isabella. He thought the shells his aunt had brought him might be of some value. After all, everyone said they were great. So he brings the shells to Isabella's father. He says they are great, but they need money, not shells. Dismayed, Monty tells Isabella's father to keep the shells. Isabella gets a90=hold of them, and at first she just hangs the shells on her bedroom wall. But then she has a great idea. her mother told her that Montague Mad-Rat (Monty's uncle whom he was named after) was infamous for doing the unthinkable--dealing with humans (it's like making things with your own paws). He, like Monty is also an artist. He decorates rings and sells them to an art dealer. Isabella decides to team up with him to sell the shells. She knows that dealing with humans is a huge disgrace, but she'll do anything to save her beloved wharves. Together, they are able to get $20,000!
Monty is hailed a hero! His little shells saved the wharves! Monty finally got everything he wanted. He saved the wharves, he's a hero, and Isabella finally likes him. Then the worst happens. What is that? You'll just have to read the book for yourself.
Monty significantly changes. He becomes much braver and he learns to do his best and try his hardest, even when things look hopeless.
This is a great book, and I recommend it to anyone age 9 and up.

Montague Mad-Rat lives in the sewers of New York City with his family. Every year the rats pay a man not to poison them, but when his nephew takes over, they decide to raise $100,000, instead of the usual $50,000. Montague and his uncle play a huge roll in donating the money, just by selling some tiny shells that Montague had painted. Montague also likes a she-rat, Isabel, who's father is at a high place in the rat-goverment.

Montague Mad-Rat is a rat born to a family he is ashamed of, he goes on a jorney to save all of rat kind!On his quest he meets many unforgetable characters, and uncovers the secret of his long lost uncle who's name has tortured Montague all his life. This is my absolute favorite book, I have read it three times. It is wonderful! If you enjoy this book, you will enjoy "The Wainscot Weasle" another book by the same author also about a determined little creature. If I could give this book more than five stars, believe me I would!

I am blessed to own some woodland in New England, and my forester recommended this book.

The author writes with the same love for the land that I have, but with much more knowledge. He really enjoys the wonderful details that exist in a forest, and he illuminates them with clear explanations of how the landscape has evolved. The general tone of the book is one of guided investigation for the curious, so there is a great deal of warmth in it.

I don't know how well it works for those who do not have a basic knowledge of trees. If you are not already familiar with the different kinds of tree, you may want a tree identification book too.

I can't give this book five stars because the illustrations were not as helpful as I would have liked. I wanted color and a better sense of the textures. Illustrations of indicator plants would have been a big bonus in the appendix, and I wish they had been provided.

For a more technical book, see Working with Your Woodland by Mollie Beattie. It contains more information and is geared to the landowner, but it doesn't have nearly as much soul. For example, Wessels' book describes stumps with a keen loving eye. They barely get a mention in Beattie's book, and their significance is lost.

Reading the Forested Landscape, first of all, plainly deserves readers outside of New England. While the particular forests the book looks at are in the northeast, Tom Wessels' approach and style won't be lost on anyone with an interest in natural history. Give this as a gift to a birding friend, or for someone to keep in their cabin.

The bedrock of the book is patient, graceful storytelling. At the outset of each chapter, Wessels shows us a simple print of a forest. He asks us to wonder what made that forest, and then he leads us, in unaffected voice, through his thinking as he answers that question. Why is this maple here? Are the trees here fire damaged? Wessels describes the outlines from which we can read a larger story. Each chapter is a little mystery, in a sense. Those little puzzles are fun.

It's apparent how carefully Forested Landscape was crafted. This isn't just a collection of portraits; the chapters progress from one to the next intelligently. For example, you learn how to recognize a fire in one chapter; at the beginning of the next, Wessels starts by asking whether a similar fire has taken place in this new spot. That's a simple transition, but it really helps you stay in the flow of the writing. The author's smart enough to reinforce what you've learned at the same time that he's establishing continuity in the larger story. This book reads through wonderfully.

And there's a bigger picture you're reading toward, too. Each chapter also includes a broader natural history subject related to its particular forest. You've seen a few trees, and you've puzzled out the sort of setting you're looking at; now, by touching on a bigger natural historical theme, you place that forest in the natural world as a whole. Forested Landscape does a wonderful job of drawing you into that big picture. How can we look at an eastern forest without thinking of the Chestnuts that dominated there until early this century? Sure, maybe those trees are gone now, but they're part of this story. (The chestnut blight as told here has real pathos to it. You'll feel like doing something to bring them back.)

The patient, graceful, intelligent tone of this book reminded me of Chased By The Light, a collection of Jim Brandenberg photos taken, one shot a day, in the northwoods of Minnesota. I'm from Minnesota, so I took out Brandenberg's photos to look at every once in a while while I read. Buy yourself a collection of local nature photographs, things from your area. Or give the photos and Reading the Forested Landscape together, as a gift. Satisfying.

This book is a guide to understanding clues that explain the varied forest patterns of Central New England.

Each chapter focuses on a single form of disturbance - either man made or natural - that impacts the region's forests. The chapters focus on logging, pasture abandonment, fire, beaver activity, blow downs, forest blights, topography and substrate and their impact on the plants located near these disturbances.

Each chapter discusses the disturbance and then in a section entitled "A Look Back" the disturbance is related to the site's natural history. This new way of seeing a forest and its history adds to my walks in the woods. I feel a connection, a reverence, an enhancement and an inclusion that was not part of my previous walks. Although most of my hikes are in the Green Mountains of Vermont, I am convinced this process of reading the forest can be applied to any woodland in North America.