I keep Dan Seidman's "The Death of 20th Century Selling" on my desk and use it regularly to inoculate myself against Silly Selling Syndrome. Although I laugh often at the short easy to read sales blunder stories, I often spot myself and the people I coach in the stories as if there were a beacon on the page that says "You are here!"

I would highly recommend this book for anyone in sales or sales management and especially for SME-International's professional Certifed Sales Managers (CME®).

I especially enjoyed the pointed lesson in the story about the two reps who slurped down flourescent colored frozen pop before visiting a client. How many times have we all blundered in this area by doing something just before a sales call that marred our professional appearance?

It reminds me of the time I visited the men's room in my office and noticed a chap who didn't wash his hands after using the facilities. Guess what? He was the body wearing those hands when he showed up in a few minutes on a sales call in my office. Not only did we not shake hands, he was sent on his merry way.

In life we can all learn from consequences, and now Seidman effectively teaches this as a strategy in sales. What a concept!

...From the time we open our eyes in the morning and choose the shoes we will wear for the day, we are selling. We must sell ourselves first and after that the pressure to sell only gets more intense. It matters not whether we are artistes or janitors or CEOs, we will be selling something. We will be selling to our bosses, our clients, our own families. Dan Seidman author of "The Death of 20th Century Selling," tells us how to do it and illustrates his lessons with "50 hilarious sales blunders."

Dan Seidman has had more than two decades of experience selling on the net and off. He is a nationally known speaker and has written for national magazines. Now he shares his knowledge in "Death."

This book is not only a volume full of practical and funny how-tos of selling, it is an example of what Dan Seidman professes. After one has read the book, one need only look at the cover art and read the cover text to understand what I mean by this. The only thing this cover lacks is a warning. That should read something like this: "Warning: Saying or thinking 'I don't need this book, I'm not a sales person,' can be dangerous to your future." ...

Before starting to write business books, I asked everyone I saw what they liked about the business books that they had liked. The recommendations were unanimous: Failure stories!

Looking at failures is a great way to learn. The awful circumstances are indelibly etched in our minds. If we can think of a way to deal with THOSE situations, surely we can deal with more ordinary ones.

As I read The Death of 20th Century Selling, I was struck that the book has much in common with the humor best seller, The Darwin Awards. The sales people here act in disabling ways in unexpectedly tricky circumstances through 50 riveting true stories. The results are dangerous to their sales careers and income. Mr. Seidman goes on to explore ways that the blundering sales people might have recovered.

These stories are pretty amazing. Sales people insult the prospect's spouse, mother, and even act insensitively towards a family member's grave. In other cases, the sales people make themselves look literally like buffoons. In The Darwin Awards, the victims usually do themselves in by being drunk and using very poor judgment. In The Death of 20th Century Selling, the equivalent sources of error are a self-centered focus on the seller's needs rather than noticing the buyer's perspective. "Show me the money" might be the mantra of many of these failed sales people.

Then gradually, repressed memories of my own sales disasters came back. I could have written my own version of this book! Having seen these failures made me able to see how I might have down better in my own disasters. That was great.

Mr. Seidman also does a nice job of weaving the stories into patterns, especially of those who are addicted to sales techniques that have not worked in decades, those who inexperienced and dabble at sales without a winning process, those who let their egos get in the way, and people who are undisciplined.

Rather than leaving you with faint hope, he goes on to explain and show the benefits of helping prospects understand the consequences they will face if they do not choose to purchase your offering.

The book was a very pleasant surprise in that it contains a lot of wisdom in a quite brief and inexpensive book. The material is engrossing and easy to absorb. Although he suggests reading the examples over time, I raced through to the end . . . hardly able to wait to find out what else has gone wrong for other sales people.

Selling is a lonely profession in many ways. You face some pretty weird situations, and often there's no one there to help you deal with them. Afterwards, you can feel like a fool. After reading this book, you're more likely to be flexible in the tough situations. I know I'll think . . . now, what would Dan Seidman suggest?

If you are in sales, think you might want to go into sales, or even meet with salespeople, you owe it to yourself to read and laugh loudly with this delightful book!

Donald Mitchell, co-author of The 2,000 Percent Solution, The Irresistible Growth Enterprise and The Ultimate Competitive Advantage

This book has filled in a void for a subject as vast and complex as Oracle Manufacturing and Supply Chain.
The book is nicely ordered and covers the a lot of topics in great depth with good examples and diagrams whereever necessary to explain the concepts.
The book maintains a good flow from topic to topic to better understand the concept and coordination between various modules of the e-business suite.
A very well thought and very well written book!

It is very hard to write a book of this size and at the same time cover all aspects of Oracle Mfg. and Supply Chain Mgmt modules and I congratulate the authors for having done a commendable job at that.

The first thing I see as different from other books and Oracle documentation is the fact that the topics are organized by functional areas rather than individual Oracle modules. This approach gives the complete picture of a business process and then illustrates how each oracle module is used in that business process.

Instead of just talking about what each modules can do, the authors have tried to blend plain functional content along with the discussion of oracle specific implementation of that process, which would help even novices to understand why something is done in oracle in the way it is done. One example is the way they discuss "Enterprise Structure" in the second chapter, starting from the Enterprise at the top, going down all the way up to Stock Locators.

Another good thing is that the authors have used logical data models to illustrate certain areas of the mfg. and SCM modules. There are also lots of table references through the book. This will be of interest for someone who is doing custom reports.

Finally, I've found that similar books lack in the number and accuracy (filled with appropriate data) of screenshots. This one has numerous screenshots that aid in better understanding of the subject being discussed.

The right cross-section of credible authors (development and pre/post sales consulting) has created an outstanding reference book of Oracle's supply chain suite of applications. Currently, in the marketplace, there are no books covering this topic nor do I expect any group of authors to cover the breadth of this topic with such depth and clarity.

What I particularly liked was the extensive use of visuals, tables & screen shots to keep people like me with butterfly attention spans engaged. Additionally, the author's covered hot topics such as Oracle's demand planning, advanced supply chain planning, warehouse management and intelligence applications.

People that would find the book useful include: post-sales consultants, pre-sales consultants (Oracle and Oracle competitors), project managers, functional users (particularly super-users), application selection decisionmakers, developers (particularly Oracle competitors) and resume architects.

It becomes harder and harder to find anything good to read these days, the no b.s. real thing--and in Dan Fante's Chump Change I am happy to say that I have discovered a real winner! The man can write. Once it arrived in the mail from SPD and I started reading there was no way to put it down--always a good sign. Powerful tale that rings true and authentic--I know, because I once lived in that hellhole called L.A. No disrespect meant towards his diceased father, the also fine writer John Fante, but the son is even better. The writing is so strong and hard-hitting that I put it right up there with John O'Brien's Leaving Las Vegas (although story is entirely different ); the all out style and way of telling his story places this author in the same unique league as Pleasant Gehman, Charles Bukowski, Clarence Cooper, Jr., Robert Beck (Iceberg Slim) Celine, Nat West, etc. Can't wait to get my hands on Mooch, his latest. To any other book lovers out there, fans of great fiction, who are like me and gave up on the b.s. that is tv and Hollywood flicks a long time ago, I suggest to look up Small Press Distribution or Last Gasp Press for the hard to find well-written gems--as this is how I discovered Dan Fante's Chump Change. Why should it be so difficult for us to find works of art like this book and others like it when so much tripe is out there and placed on bestseller lists by the major publishing houses? you got me there--because I never believe the bestseller lists and never, ever buy anything that is placed right there on tables in the lobby of the major chain stores--because I know it is pure crap, and because it bothers me to know that the true talents like Mr. Dan Fante and others like him have to "sneak in" the back door of publishing by first being published by the smaller indie houses in order to get any recognition at all. So if you can relate to what I'm saying here ignore the junk the big houses are putting out and go for the real thing like this certified modern classic. We loved Chump Change and wish Mr. Fante all the best in the future. Give us more!

"Chump Change" is an emotional slice of life that cuts below the skin, exposing the bare sinew of the American psyche. Definitely worth reading for anyone who is interested in knowing what makes the desperate American tick.

Genius, Dan you write what we think but didn't realise we thought, and do things my own insanity never took me to but could have and it is hysterically funny. I am blown away by the magic, insight, humor and genius writing of Mooch and Chump Change. More more!!

After causing several car accidents due to large fold-out maps covering my windhsield as I attempted to roar down interstates I was a tad skeptical when my friend Joey told me Cognoscenti Map Guides were the best guides he'd seen. I was used to large guide books which would weigh me down and take up space in my pack I could have used for skotch. But this guide has it all. Tons of info AND a slim and sleak design. Thank you COgnscenti!

These Cognoscenti things have done to maps what cooking did to food. They are highly palatable (readable) and edible (don't make me dizzy). I used to get into auto accidents using giant maps that would cover the whole windshield while I tried to drive, so you can imagine how skeptical I was when my friend told me about Cognoscenti "Map" Guides. Turns out these things are so clear ANYONE can use them. With my Cognoscenti Map Guide in hand I felt like I could help people around New York! It truly made New York accesible to people like me. Thanks Cognoscenti Map Guides.

I always found using a map in one hane and a guide book in the other to be too cumbersome! I've finally found a neat clear fusion of the two in the COgnoscenti guides. I toured London with their London guide and had the time of my life! SO when it came time to see New york Cognoscenti was the only "guide" I bought. Clearly marked icons let me read info on the guide's flip side without losing my place on the map, the way I always did every time I'd refer to a book-type guide while trying to read a map at the same time. I highly recommend these guides.

A fun collection of stories and anecdotes that any student leader, be it Resident Assistant, Student Ambassador, Orientation Leader, Club President or member, can relate to.

If you are a family member, friend, or mentor of an involved College or University student, this book is a must! Reading it yourself will give you insight into what your student is experiencing, but giving it as a gift can do so much to support and validate your student's leadership experiences.

Keep an eye out for more books in this series! They are sure to be meaningful!

Inspiration for Student Leaders is a concise, intelligent read, ideal for both students and professional staff who work with student leaders. Stories, poems, quick quotes and other works combine to make this publication live up to its goal of inspiring student leaders. Student Activities professional should give this book to incoming student leaders to help them broaden their perspectives on leadership. Established student leaders whose energy may be waning, can draw encouragement from the passages written by other students. This book should be on the resource shelf in every Student Union in America.

This is simply the best book anywhere for campus leaders.

I admit that I'm one of the co-authors. But keep this in mind-- as editor of Student Leader magazine, I don't lend my name and reputation to just any project.

I was, and am, proud to be associated with this uplifting and inpsiriational book. It's written similiar in style to the Chicken Soup series, including lots of heartwarming stories written by campus leaders themselves nationwide.

This book is perfect for leadership retreats, workshops, and seminars. It would be the perfect addition to any leadership classes as well.

If you're the parent, friend, or relative of a student government leader, resident assistant, Greek leader, or other campus leader, this book would be the perfect easy gift!

I personally find this book very useful (at least for myself, but I believe as well for many of you guys). It is especially true if you read it the second and the third time. When I review my own game, I can find out a lot of mistakes which Kageyama has mentioned in the book. (Like forget to struggle to go ahead) There is a Go competition during summer, and I have just finished this book the third time. Some of the tesuji in the book is very useful.

I guess it will be good to learn the basic rule of the Go game and then play for a while. (may be a hundred game), then start reading this book. Then you can get the most out of it. (I believe Kageyama himself has suggested us to play for many games to get the feeling first. He mentioned player usually meet barrier at around 11-13kyu, 5-6kyu and 1-2kyu. So I guess if one train up to around 15kyu and then start reading this book, it will be very useful. And then review the book once a while. Get the fundamental idea in your mindset. And you will find Go even more interesting

Kageyama's book is a must read for any go player, whether a beginner or high dan player. His writing is witty and insightful. If anything, the last chapter about his game against the Honinbo is a joy to read. His lessons are helpful on many lessons. I have read this book several times and learn more from it each time. Enjoy it!

I would say this is great for a 2nd or 3rd book on Go, after you have played a couple months. You need to have an idea of what the game is to follow this, but if you do the content is ssuperb.

As a parent and teacher, I was happy to find this book a few years ago. Since then, it has aided me in raising my children and in my work with children at school. The learning expeiences that it has helped to evoke have opened our eyes, improved our lives, and contributed toward helping us to live in a world that is quickly becoming one. I have seen many books on virtue development but this is the best on "how to"; with its practical steps and many relevant examples. I'd like to see a similar guide for classroom teachers.

The book "The Family Virtues Guide" is the clearest and easiest to read and use of any book on virtues that I have found. I have William Bennett's "Book of Virtues" and even picked up some books put out by the Church of Latter Day Saints (I am not a member) on virtues. I also have some other books and articles on virtues but none of them really made it easier to use than your book. I try to sit down with my kids once a week to read a "virtue" and it is so easy with your book. Thank you for making it easy. In this day and age we need "virtues." We need it in every aspect of our lives.

"An inspiring, profoundly wise, and easily accessible book, The Family Virtues Guide is really a guidebook for spiritual living for everyone: children and their friends and family, educators, and individuals. It can help ALL of us bring out the best in each other." -- Kathleen Hawkins, author of Spirit Incorporated: How to Follow Your Spiritual Path From 9 to 5

perfect for any fan of the moonlight chronicles. most people who would have have read this book will be familiar to the moonlight chronicles and will already know how awe inspiring Dan's work is. For those first time readers, the moonlight chronicles are the amazing small zine format journal by Dan Price. Dan is the Jack Kerouac of drawing and free thought. he's a wandering vagabond, who travels and draws in search for simplicity and truth, if you can find them check them out. in the meantime this book shows us how to make a journal for ourselves unlike the monotonous bedside diaries that most keep....and he does so with ease and originallity. if you can find the moonlight chronicles check them out until then go get a coffee and relax with this great book.

I loved all of Dan Price's Moonlight Chronicles over the years. I am so happy that his works have been published for the masses to see. This particular book is fantastic at getting the creative juices flowing. This book gives you plenty of ideas and makes it easy to start your own journal. I hope that Dan some day compiles all the Moonlight Chronicle series into one huge volume. I would deinitely buy it!

For the long-time journal keeper as well as the beginner, Price's book was packed with info on how to make those memories kept on paper more informative, enlightening and enjoyable. I ordered it on Wednesday, received it on Saturday, read it cover-to-cover by noon Sunday, and ordered two more copies (as gifts) on Sunday afternoon.

I am really finding myself enjoying many of the new entries into the extended Little House family, this book included. However, I did not like it quite as much as others in the series (and of course not as much as the originals, but that goes without saying!). I don't think this is the writing, but perhaps just the setting, more urban than any of the others, so not as full of descriptions of self-reliant country life. This book is well written, and I do look forward to following Charlotte's life and seeing how it fits into the big story of the Little House family! I especially enjoyed the description of school life in the early 19th century Boston area.

I absolutely LOVED "Little House by Boston Bay." Whenever I go to get my Laura & Rose books, I include this one right along with it. There seems to be a certain warmth and attractiveness about the book. From bold 12-year-old Lewis to doll-eating infant Mary, I love it! It's also nice to see Martha from "Little House in the Highlands" all grown up, with a mind and a voice of her own. Overall, the book was great and I recommend it to all people, fans or no fans.

This is a great book. Charlotte, who grows up to be Laura's grandmother, is really cute. It is an awesome book. I recommend it to everyone who likes the Little House books.

The good:
--Provides a quick look at the regular expression components of .net.
--Verbose enough to give you some idea of how to use the components.
--Much better than the Microsoft documentation.
--Provides examples in both C# and vb.net (this is a Microsoft centric book, obviousy....)

The bad:
--Not enough examples. I humbly suggest some exercises/answers to test yourself. It wouldn't add much to the virtual page count but could help solidify concepts.
--Downloadable code works but doesn't seem at all polished.
--Some examples could be better documented (E.G. better identify which is Group 1, Group 2, etc.)

The ugly:
--Grammar errors. In an e-book there is really no excuse for these errors. C'mon, lets get them fixed in revision 2.
--Errors in examples. If you understand the concept, you'll figure out what is wrong. If you're struggling with a concept, you don't need the additional errors.

To add to the previous reviews:

- he does a good job of building from the ground up - starts with a very clear english explanation before you start in on the examples.

- separates advanced topics from basic issues, making it easy to learn first what you need, and then what you want

- provides a nice summary in the back, like a regular expression help desk reference

- the download code is pretty shoddy, contrary to the other review's comments, but it does get the job done and it's from playing around with the compiled executables that you'll really gain understanding.

if you're finding yourself searching around newsgroups looking for a 'numeric regular expression validator' or something and then copying and pasting code that you don't understand, get this book. It's not hard, but you probably won't pick it up on your own.

.02

Once you become serious about .NET, you'll find Regular Expressions staring you square in the face. They're there and they are very important, but the .NET documentation doesn't help much in learning about Regular Expressions and how to work with them in .NET.
That's where Dan Appleman's Ebook comes in. I think that Dan has done an absolutley stupendous job in the following 3 areas:
a) Dan explains the essence of Regular Expressions from a general perspective. After all, "Regular Expressions" is a language unto itself, even without .NET. This Ebook gives you a good intuitive feel of how pattern matching is expressed with the "Regular Expressions" language.
b) The Ebook shines in its explanation of .NET's take on Regular Expressions. This book thoroughly explores the various classes and methods that .NET offers for working with Regular Expressions. Dan does a great job teaching you about Groups and Captures.
c) The code download for the book is top-notch. Clearly, there was a lot of thought put into providing meaningful examples to help the reader internalize the .NET approach to processing with
Regular Expression.
I think the Ebook format is perfect for this topic.
I have one criticism, though. I believe that the advertising glop at the end of the end of the Ebook is somewhat extraneous.
A link to this material should have been sufficient.