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A not-to-miss book. This is not a child's book, but tells it as it was. When your heart is not pumping as you read, it may be breaking--a very human true tale.
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if you know a lot about the beatles but you havnt read any of lewisohns books yet, you will find SO much info you didnt know. he researched these books for years, was given access to everything at abbey road, every show they ever did from 1957 on that is possible to know anything about is chronicled. Lennon would have LOVED the "live" book, it brings to life so well those early days in hamburg that he loved to remember.I dont know what else to say, i cant recommend them enough. these books are the next best thing to having a new beatle album, which we know can never happen.
This is a true, scholarly effort. It is a day-by-day account of The Beatle's professional, not personal, affairs. More than just what they did where on an particular day, it shows how hectic their early days were, how incredibly frantic was the Beatlemania in Britian and the USA and their best work (from Revolver on) evolved in the studio.
The book is intelligently writtena nd produced. Each year is a separate chapter, starting first with an introduction which puts that year in perspective to the Beatle's career. What follows is a day by day retelling of every concert, recording sesson, Radio/TV appearance, etc. It's a great companion to Anthology (CDS and video) as you get an idea as to how certain events played how, how certain songs were recorded and again, how crazy the early 60's were for the Beatles.
If anyone wants to know the who, what, where and why (especially why the Beatles broke up as professional musicians) this book, which first appaeared in 1992 and is finally reprinted, is the one book to have. I've read it once and plan to go back again and again.
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As Roger von Oech goes through each of the thirty selected epigrams he includes some of the ways that they can be interpreted, ways that they have been interpreted in the past, anecdotes, jokes, and riddles that illustrate the epigram and other ways of illuminating just how deep these pieces of wisdom are. Does he give a complete explanation of how they can be interpreted? No, because that is part of the design of these epigrams, they can be applied to different circumstances and product different but still correct answers. His illustrations are there to open your mind to the creative possibilities that lie hidden within just a few wise words.
Some of these I have heard in the past such as "You can't step into the same river twice". Others are less common but just as full of wisdom such as "On a circle, an end point can also be a beginning point". If you want a book that expands your creative mind and also shows you how to break out of old patterns of thinking in any situation, then this is the book for you. Well written and sure to point the reader to new directions of thinking, it is a highly recommended read.
The book's core are 30 epigrams ("a terse, witty, and often paradoxical saying") of the 125 that have come down to us in the quotations of other authors from Heraclitus, as written 2500 years ago. Mr. von Oech has taken the traditional translation and updated it into more conceptual English in many cases, which makes the material more accessible. "All things happen according to the logos" (from Heraclitus by T. M. Robinson, University of Toronto Press, 1987) becomes "The cosmos speaks in patterns." Each epigram begins with an imaginative line drawing to give you an initial impression of the concept. Mr. von Oech goes on to provide some key subpoints in a brief essay, some examples of the concepts and subpoints in action, and occasionally gives you puzzles and brain teasers to play with (the answers are at the end of the book).
The longer the section, the better I liked it. So I left the book wishing it had been longer. That's my usual test of how helpful a book was to me. While many of these epigrams meant nothing to me on first reading them, Mr. von Oech's explanations soon made each an old and valuable friend.
Mr. von Oech suggests three ways to use the book. First, you can read it from start to finish as a creativity workbook. Second, you can take one epigram a day and make it the focus of a meditation for that day. You can repeat the list at the end of 30 days ("You can't step into the same river twice" so you should get new insights each time). Third, you can use the book as an oracle. When you have a question, randomly pick an epigram (there's a random number table in the book to help you do this) and apply it to the problem. I would like to suggest a fourth application, as well. You could use the epigrams to stimulate group creativity in problem-solving situations involving others.
Space does not permit (nor would fairness allow) publishing all the epigrams here, but let me share the ones that had the most impact on me.
"That which opposes produces a benefit."
"A wonderful harmony is created when you join together the seemingly unconnected."
"I searched into myself."
"Many fail to grasp what's right in the palm of the hand."
"Things love to conceal their true nature."
"Those who approach life like a child playing a game, moving and pushing pieces, possess the power of kings."
"Sea water is both pure and polluted: for fish it's drinkable and life-giving; for humans undrinkable and destructive."
"It is disease that makes health pleasant, hunger that makes fullness good, and weariness that makes rest sweet."
"The way up and the way down are one and the same."
"A thing rests by changing."
"Donkeys prefer garbage to gold."
"Every walking animal is driven to its purpose with a whack."
"Your character is your destiny."
"The Sun is new each day."
The summary combines all thirty epigrams into a brief essay. I encourage you to take one of the epigrams above and apply it today. If it helps you, go on to use another one tomorrow. If that is working, order this book and keep using other epigrams daily until the book arrives. Then, see how Mr. von Oech's thoughtful ideas about the epigrams expand your thinking even further!
Be prepared to find diamonds in your coal mine!
I have never believed in reading about the theory of creativity: is like believing that you are exercising by watching ESPN. If you want to achieve the reality of a way to stimulate your creative thinking this book is for you.
Any work from this author is satisfaction guaranteed.
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This is a definite must for anyone with some level of consideration for this well-respected career!
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In Making Six Sigma Last, Eckes provides tools to help create an awareness of the need for a Six Sigma culture (based on threats and opportunities), identifies the four types of resistance and specific steps that can be taken to overcome them, explains how to mold the vision of a Six Sigma culture, and provides specific tools that can be used to measure the culture of your organization. George also offers experienced guidance in how to change job structures in your organization in ways that can compound your Six Sigma success.
Your time will be well-invested reading Making Six Sigma Last. It is benchmark work. You will be challenged, informed, encouraged, entertained, and very possibly taken to the next level in your pursuit of never-ending improvement.
In the book Making Six Sigma Last, the author, George Eckes shows us how. Through heart-felt stories, humorous personal examples, and real business illustrations the author takes us through the process needed to create and sustain a culture that supports Six Sigma.
First we learn about Q x A = E. This powerful formula shows us that: "Q" Quality, the technical and strategic elements of a Six Sigma initiative, times "A" Cultural Acceptance, of the technical and strategic elements of Six Sigma, determines "E" the success of the Six Sigma process. Then, the author addresses resistance. We are reminded that it's a natural process for people to resist change. Eckes describes four types of resistance and offers specific strategies for overcoming each. The next chapters show how to sell it and then manage it. Now it's time to ask did it work? Did you get the cultural buy-in you were attempting? How do you know? In Making Six Sigma Last, Eckes offers a model that is used to measure the cultural acceptance within the organization or as Eckes says, "how well Six Sigma has been baked into the organization". Five case studies are used to illustrate these concepts. Then through profiles of leadership, the author shares real business examples of what worked, what didn't and why. Finally we learn how to sustain the culture that will support Six Sigma initiatives with the chapter on pitfalls: 10 things to avoid.
Making Six Sigma Last is an informative and easy read. It's effective and efficient, hallmarks of Six Sigma. The book leaves you inspired and hopeful that this stuff really can work. Don't start without it!
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First of all he talks about how to get your first job, basically all common sense that you should already know if you've worked in the business world more a few weeks. Then he talks about actually starting the business and dealing with clients, a few helpful hints here that could be summorized in 5 pages instead of the 70 pages or so these two sections fill mostly with just common sense information again. Next he talks about budgetung and bidding for contracts, which could be helpful for a video studio but not much here for web site companies as he fails to go into any detail on project management and actually tracking progress and time spent.
The following chapter is about legal issues, a good read that will get you up to speed in legal matters pretty quick. Chapter 8 leads you into how to actually setup your web site studio and what equipment to buy. Very, very vague, mainly just covers audio equipment, not much information on web design at all. The final chapter is about managing your crew, subcontracting, and getting paid. A pretty good, interesting chapter to read.
In summary, this book is a pretty good overview of how to prepare to get your first client, but it is mainly common sense. It would have been better labeled "Desktop Video Studio Overview: Helpful Suggestions of How To Get Started In the Video, and DVD Industry" and leave out the web sites part as web sites are just an afterthought in the book.
George Avergakis has achieved what many have previously tried, but failed. George has created a technological how-to guide that reads as if you were sitting down and shooting the breeze with a good friend over a cup of joe. Well, a couple cups anyway (after all the book is 386 pages excluding the Epilogue and Index).
I have personally been in the video production business for 15 years. As a seasoned professional, I thought I had seen it all, done it all. Well, I must admit, my copy of 'Desktop Video Studio Bible' is already dog-eared, highlighted and given a prominent home right next to my computer monitor (for quick and easy access).
One of my many responsibilities at B&H Photo-Video includes managing our booths for the many different video trade shows that we participate in every year. Many of the trade show attendees that I meet rely on my experience to help them solve some of their every day studio problems. Well, George has opened a whole new door for me to access with exciting ideas and solutions. My hat is off to you George on a job well done and for helping to make my job that much easier.
James MacFadden
Trade Show Coordinator/Technical Writer
B&H Photo-Video, Inc.
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Capturing Customers.com is filled with so many good ideas that I was kicking myself for the opportunities I had been missing. Now, armed with these lessons, I'm already making meaningful changes in my business. I'm so glad I picked up this book and only hope my competition doesn't.
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Gray Sinclair is a ship captain on a mission. He is on a quest for a mythological gemstone, the "Sacred Heart," a rare flawless red diamond. His brother is on the brink of losing the family estate and Gray believes finding this diamond will save them all from ruin. He never expected to find himself tried and condemned to death in a small Scottish town, for a murder he did not commit!
Bonnie MacTavish is the sole witness to the gruesome death of her friend. She found Gray crouched over the body, bloody knife in hand, concluding he is the killer. In spite of that, she wanted Gay to receive a fair trial. When he is convicted in the farce, her doubts of his guilt begin to surface, leading her to the decision to help him escape.
Gray doesn't need her help though, and makes good on his escape, taking Bonnie with him. She is furious over her kidnapping and vows to make his life miserable until she can make her bid for freedom. Things change while they are at sea, however. Bonnie begins to see a whole different side of Gray, one of compassion, and she realizes he is not capable of brutally murdering anyone.
As Gray continues on his quest for the stone, he and Bonnie grow closer, but he carries additional emotional burdens he is afraid to tell her about. He believes that if she knows the truth about him, and his family, that she would be unable to care for him. Will Gray complete his quest for his own personal Grail? Will Bonnie manage to break through Gray's personal barriers to reach his heart and the love he denies himself?
This was a novel full of adventure and passion. Ms. George gain proves her skill at penning a tale to tug at the heartstrings. Gray and Bonnie are full of personality that leaps off the pages. His demons and her fire are always evident. The colorful cast of characters, right down to a cuddly canine, and a rather ugly, but loved no less, pet vulture, entrance the reader, making the story all the more enjoyable.
The sometimes overly wordy passages takes getting used to at first, but once familiar with it, it is hardly noticeable. Also, the murder which begins the story takes a back seat to Gray's quest. This reviewer had trouble believing that Bonnie could apparently forget all about her friend's death, thought hat is what appears to happen for most of the story. Other than a few references to Gray's label as "murderer," most of the novel no one even thinks about that which started the whole adventure.
All in all, this was an exciting story full of emotion, dangers, action, and conflict which is par for the course in the genre. Ms. George puts her own signature on the romance world, drawing people in and making them eager for the next story.
Gray Sinclair, after being thrown off-course from his intended destination, the Azores Islands in quest of The Sacred Heart - a red diamond, in a surprising turn of events, becomes convicted of murder of Sarah - a local towngirl in the Socttish coast. Bonnie MacTavish, the fierce and proud clanswoman is determined to bring him to justice. Yet Bonnie discovers she may have wronged Gray when she sees his merits beneath his juvenile appearance. Just when her heart softens, Gray holds her hostage to get back to his ship (ironcally named Revenge) - and they embark on an adventure to find the coveted stone.
There is intrigue and drama. Clansman rivalry, betrayal and a spiteful mother who lies to her son on his bastard identity. Gray believes himself to be unworthy of his brother's affection with his shameful secret; he is scared of being a dreamer and giving love. It is up to Bonnie to convert him - yet the way is a path of thorns but the triumph of two united hearts is indeed rejoicing. The most haunting part is when Gray recognizes the extent of his love for Bonnie when she is nearly outraged by a savage warrior on the island.
Melanie George matures from the casual mood from Handsome Devil and Devil may care to pen a darker devil's due. While her hilarious tone falters, THE DEVIL's DUE is a solid piece of swashbuckling entertainment. Its romance tinged with a bittersweet tone with misgivings and forgiveness warrants an arresting read especially during Christmas. Some may fault her daredevil stunt at the third book for a change of style. Yet there is absolutely no misgivings. This absorbing read is a blast.