"Chicken soup for the Prioner's Soul" was the answer to my prayers. After reading your book, I joined Toastmasters to develop my skills as a speaker. Your book opened my eyes and heart to my desire to be a professional speaker. It has also opened a lot of doors for me. It is so amazing that being in jail, I was led to your book, which has led to so many wonderful and helpful people. If everyone could accept people as unconditionally as you and the people in your book have accepted me, our world would be a much better place.

"Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul" has been a favorite of participants in the Kairos HORIZON, faith-based residential program at Tomoka Correctional Institution near Daytona Beach, Florida. "It makes you think," one of the inmates in this maximum security prison responded, "and we need that." A local ministry provided copies for each of the 128 men in the faith dorm at Christmas last year.
As the program coordinator, I've noticed that the stories never fail to touch our volunteers, too, whether they are written by an inmate, an inmate's family, a volunteer, warden or correctional officer. By the end of the book, the whole experience of incarceration can be seen from a new and fuller perspective, one that offers hope.

Prisoners are human beings! Chicken Soup For The Prisoners Soul transforms the stereotypic image of all prisoners being horrible people woh are threats to society. As I read this wonderful book I found myself questioning our criminal justice system. Chicken Soup For the Prisoners Soul shows that prisoners are indeed human beings; people who would be better served by communnity support rather than punative retribution. Please, don't just believe me. Read this wonderful book for yourself and I am confident you will be incredibly moved.

Sandbox Wisdom compels you to get inside of yourself; it rejuvenates you, and your appoach to life and business. Tom takes you through a process that coaches you to discover your passion and the things that are truly important... relationships. The manner in which he does this is refreshing, playful, efficient, and immediately applicable. Through a creative story, Tom dares to tell all of us in business that it can be simple if we just remember the genius of childhood that innately knows it's really all about people! People, that's what our employees and customers are. This is a must read!

I'd recommend this book even if I didn't know the author personally, and had the pleasure of speaking with him one-on-one and in his unforgettable, one-of-a-kind seminars. This is one of those breakthrough books like "Who Moved My Cheese", "One-Minute Manager" and "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" of which you'll buy a couple of dozen to pass along to your best friends and clients. You probably won't even wait until Christmas, but when it comes, you'll buy a couple dozen more for the new friends and contacts you've made - simply by applying the wisdom from the sandbox. And the lessons learned go way beyond business, and well into all of life's important relationships like love, parenting and enduring friendship. Way to go, Tom!

This book really made me realize the basics again. As I read the book, it really made me realize where I was going wrong with my own selling approach, and pointed out the simplicity in the solution. The examples and subject matter is relevant to todays business situations, and he uses effective quotes and stories to drive his points home. It is important to note that I read this book in one sitting! This is something that I never do! This book is entertaining, has a relaxing tone, and is an easy read. I highly recommend it.

This is my first public review of a book, but this book is impressive and truly worth writing about. I was looking for a single reference that would cover a broad range of telecommunications and networking subjects, yet provide enough detail to make those subjects meaningful. My search included the reference books that I could get from my fellow workers, a public library and a technical bookstore. I looked up several test subjects. Some books had more reference headings, but none came close to the number of subjects covered in a meaningful way. For instance, by looking up QAM (which some other references didn't even have), I was given an accurate synopsis modem modulation methods (which I could validate because of my familiarity with the subject). Examining other subjects was an educational experience, as the author brought me up to date with his very readable explanations. The CD-ROM filled in where the alphabetical arrangement and in the index left off. Its search/query function was much more comprehensive than could be expected from a paper index. For instance, it found that the Cable Data Network combines QAM with forward error correction. It also was the means for looking up PSK V.22 and V.92 (other subjects related to modem modulation). Overall, I am highly pleased, both with the book and the included ROM.

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

Extraordinary! Tom Sheldon again raised the bar with his latest edition of the Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications. The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications is the gold standard by which all other MIS/IT reference books must measure up to. Besides having an edition at work and home, I have the full text on my laptop via the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM has over 5,000 URLs. The CD-ROM and URLs alone are worth the book's price. After 19 years in the MIS/IT industry, I have yet to find a comparable resource or reference book.

Jay Riccitelli
Senior Manager
Computer Sciences Corp.

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.

As a graphic designer/marketing consultant and business owner sometimes marketing recommendations are made more on instinct that on facts. Doug Hall offers a book dedicated to the "hard numbers" of marketing. He offers a lesson into his "marketing physics" - the rules of the marketplace that can increase your chances of success. A must read for anyone who wants to be successful in marketing. This book is the blueprint for overhauling the marketing for my company. A free trial of Hall's marketing success predictor called "Merwyn" make this a book you have to own!

Jump Start Your Business Brain Can Change Your Business. If you are a person who takes action and believes in their idea then this is the book to read.

Hall doesn't preach - he inspires and coaches. The examples in the book are examples of REAL small businesses and the success they've had using the methods outlined.

The most inspiring part about this book is not the data or the laws but the energy which Hall gives to entrepreneurs. A great idea that is articulated well has the power to CHANGE the World. If you own a business or have an idea that your passionate about this book is a definite read.

This book is really a must read for anyone interested in developing a "breakout strategy" for their business, especially if you want a strong ethics/values orientation. When it comes to most business books today, the suggestions that they make are often add-ons to existing ways of doing business, so implementing the suggested strategy or system will still rely on access to significant capital or technology to achieve a successful result. In reading "Business is a Contact Sport", I found a fundamentally different perspective that guided me to create a completely unique competitive approach based on developing relationships with other businesses that should be willing to promote expansion of my business because it will also help them expand their business. The more I let my imagination wander, the more different types of businesses I came up with that could have an interest in this approach because they could benefit in a unique way too. It was exciting. On a practical level, the authors provide very good methods for organizing the "relationship management" process in order to keep a company focused on getting good business results from using this approach.

In addition to the "breakout" value for businesses, I would suggest that this book is worthwhile for anyone who is looking for a way to make their personal work more meaningful and challenging. The book is full of good advice on how to build good business relationships. Even if the company you work for is not into this approach, you can use it for your own benefit. There is a lot of uncertainty in the job market these days and good relationships will always be the most valuable way to find another job, so the advice is good on a personal level as well as corporate level.

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.

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 Brown, Jr. is the greatest outdoorsman, environmentalist, and nature writer of all time. He easily eclipses the likes of Emerson, Burroughs, and Muir leaving them hopelessly in the dust. Tom did not just explore, travel through, or 'camp' in the woods. He actually lived there - for years and years on-end. No one has his insight into life, nature, and man's relationship to both. Unfortunately, there is no single book that sums up all the learning, philosophy, and skills Brown has to teach. How could there be? What Brown knows could fill an encyclopedia! The Tracker, Brown's first book, is the starting point. You will do yourself a disservice, however, if you stop here. Hopefully you will find, like so many others, that you just have to read all of Brown's other books. If so, consider yourself lucky. I had to wait for years as each book was released. You can get them right away. Best wishes!

This book is full of stories you will never forget - bear smacking? - really! It will make you want to read all of Tom Brown's books and may change your life as it changed mine . . I will never look at the world in the same way and will be a lifelong student of tracking and scouting the. But even if this book does not strike a person that way, I have never found a more enjoyable collection of adventures

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.

Tom Terez, in his book 22 Keys to Creating a Meaningful Workplace, gets to the heart of the motivation and values issues that today's workforce struggles with on a daily basis. His solid research and real life examples define the issues and he goes beyond the broad brush cliches. He gives many of his examples in the voice of the people who provided him with his data. Every reader can see pieces of themselves and their organization in the pages of this book. This clear, concise and well written manual then goes on to provide a template to assess your own organization and helps you wrestle with the "meaning" question to obtain positive results. Tom Terez has a real talent for getting to the heart of the matter and cutting out useless jargon. He has made the subject understandable, useful and actionable. After reading this book-I can't wait to use his concepts in my organization to help all our employees build shared meaning. I will be giving this book to all of our senior management staff for Christmas!

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 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.

A very informative story of a real reactor accident on a Soviet Sub during the Cold War. Great for anyone who enjoyed Clancy's Hunt For Red October. Very dramatic for nonfiction, the courage of a few to save the group was shown throughout. Unfortunately the book is over quickly. As soon as you're really into the feeling of being tightly cramped into a Russian sub, the book is over. Still an exciting read for anyone interested in sub life, and death.

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.

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.

This book touched me on more levels than anything I've read in a long time. As a person, I was moved by Mr. Jordan's courage and compassion in dealing with his diseases and in his crusade to help others do the same. As someone (like most) whose loved ones have died of cancer, I was empowered by Mr. Jordan's committment to finding a cure for the illness in its many forms. As a history buff, I was intrigued by Mr. Jordan's memories of everything from growing up in the segregated South to life at the White House. This book really does have something to teach everyone, interwoven with stories about a truly remarkable life.

This book had me laughing and crying. What a wonderful memoir of a courageous man's life! Complete with Jordan's own story plus a helpful guide for those dealing with cancer. It truly is an inspiration for us all. A must read for 2000!

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.

Great movie. Fun to see and HEAR. Very refreshing to watch a highly entertaining movie for educated adults. FYI to reader from Tenafly - ROMEO AND JULIET was written in 1596, TWELFTH NIGHT in 1600. The only KNOWN facts about Shakespeare are his date of birth, his marriage to Anne Hathaway, the birth of his children, and his death. Besides, this was a movie not a documentary. Relax and enjoy.

Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard wrote the screenplay of Shakespeare in Love. The film is marvellous and so powerful that no one can resist that love drama. The story of Romeo and Juliet is itself so frightfully emotional that no one can resist the charm of the tragedy and the pain of the love story. So many artists, in so many genres and arts, have tried themselves at adapting this story, this play, this tragedy to their stages or screens or canvasses, and all have been inspired so deeply by Shakespeare's story that Romeo and Juliet have become a true galaxy of masterpieces and stars. The latest ever produced is Shakespeare in Love and the screenplay is richer, more poignant and freer than the images of the film. The screenplay is enriched with stage directions that are so brilliant, so precious that the text, the dialogue, what is going to become the words of the actors, is enhanced and beautified by them. After a while we don't even know what is the gem and what is the golden bed that carries the gem. The screenplay is by itself a work of art, a masterpiece, and the film, if you watch it again afterwards, finds tremendous new meanings and undeemable finesse in the recollections you may have kept of all those lines that are not said, that are not shown, that are at best translated into images, settings, flying visual impressions that the words of the stage directions anchor in your memory, your heart and your brain with delicate tendrils that cannot break anymore. Any lover of Shakespeare, any lover of literature, any lover of love dramas and hate tragedies must read that screenplay to see how laughter and tears can intermingle in an unbreakable alliance. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Universities of Paris, IX and II.