Tom Paterson's LifePlanning process was a great help to me at a critical transition time in my life and the life of my family. Tom has managed to put his thoughts of many years and experiences into a book that everyone should read. I would especially encourage every person over age 40 to read this book. Life brings many changes, some expected and happy; some unexpected and unhappy. In this book, Tom shares insite on how we cope with those changes and move ahead with a new focus on Living The Life You Were Meant To Live.

Tom Paterson is definitely leading the life he's meant to live. He is helping others find their gift and a fulfilled life by putting his "Life Planning" process into this book for all to share. From the very first page, he inspires and leads you to follow his proven step-by-step process on a path that results in a new assessment of your life and personal fulfillment. He has helped me achieve these goals, and I am recommending this book to all my friends as a "must read."

If you have ever met Tom Paterson, you will know that the words of this book come from his very soul. If you haven't met him, you should know that he has built a spectacularly successful career of achieving results in many major corporations and organizations through his own disciplined planning process. Consequently, this is not your average self-help book written for the purpose of selling books, but rather one man's desire to share what he has learned with others. While Tom does not promise (just as Jesus did not) that, having discovered the life one is meant to live, that there will no longer be pain, suffering, frustration, or huge hurdles to surmount. What he does promise is that life is intended to be fulfilling and rewarding, and that this is possible by understanding and doing what God intends for you to do . The book follows a very Christian doctrine- that is, the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. The theme of surrender to God's will and becoming Christ-centered are woven throughout the text. It might be argued, however, that the process outlined in the book could still be profoundly useful to the non-Christian through its insistence that the individual make an honest assessment of his or her life and build on personal strengths going forward. The chapters (fittingly, Tom calls them Modules) are arranged like building blocks with places to stop along the way to take stock of where you are. Follow the instructions and guidelines Tom has developed for the LifePlanning Process. Be brutally honest with yourself, and allow the book to lead you step by step to a clear understanding of your past and plans for a brighter future.

This book is based on the real-world experiences of author Dr. Tom K. Stern. It is Dr. Sterns Phillipine adventure lived through the eyes of his fictional re-incarnation: Dr. Todd Ellison. The names may have been changed to protect the innocent. The more outlandish the scenario, the more likely it really happened just as it is written. It has been said that truth is stranger than fiction. Gold Fever is a thin read (296 pages), that is fat on details. It is a tall and engrossing tale. Lots of details about the jungle rebels, etc.

Dr. Stern is just now releasing his latest book: Vatican Gold. I hope this leads to a trilogy. How about: Hollywood Gold? Gold Fever would make an excellent movie, and I imagine Vatican Gold will as well. I gave the book (Gold Fever) 4-stars because it was too short! I cannot wait for the Dr. Stern gold series to hit the big screen! Welcome to Hollywood, Dr. Ellison!

"Gold Fever." I couldn't put it down. The story and characters provide a beautiful and dangerous fantasy. The Doctor,Todd Ellison, performs a humanitarian act and discovers lust, adventure and exquisite romance in an exotic, erotic world of international politics and intrigue.

Wealth beyond measure. Extraordinary tests of character, love and friendship. Tom Stern starves a cold and serves up a feast to feed this "Gold Fever." A must read for fans of mystery, high stakes adventure and romance. This book makes you hope for a chance to test your love and courage. This author writes with an uncanny grasp of life-affirming humanity. A great story teller and a great story.

RX for fun="Gold Fever" May I suggest Russell Crow for Doc. Ellison. Enjoy!

Awesome book! I read it in one sitting and couldn't put it down. Higly suspenseful! Loved it!

It's so obvious, I don't know why someone didn't think of it before. But nobody did until Tom Jones wrote it down. Disfunctional people go to work; disfunctional workplaces result. In today's environment with the children of broken homes, and their parents, coming into the workplace; with people who have a hard time connecting with other people, managers can look over the situation and throw up their hands in despair or they can figure out how to make it work. Tom Jones helps us with the latter option. He offers practical advice on how to identify the particular disfunctions of your own work place, and how to change the disfunctional systems so that everyone, disfunctional or not, can survive and get the job done. This is a practical, how-to manual with enough insight into the psychology of disfunction, but doesn't overwhelm you with theory, to make the solutions work. You can't change the people, so change the systems.

As Executive Director of VMRC, Inc., a large social service agency, I was frustrated by a variety of dysfunctional behaviors in the organization. Several years ago I recruited Tom Jones to consult with us in establishing self-directed work teams. In the course of this undertaking, we provided all employees with a copy of Tom's first book and are now giving each new hire a copy of "If It's Broken, You Can Fix It." This book provides a wealth of practical suggestions for dealing with dysfunction in the workplace. Tom draws both from the work of others, like William Bridges and Edward Lawler, and from his own extensive experience. It is a valuable resource for experienced managers and also for entry-level professional employees. The style is direct, non-academic, and remarkably free of jargon. "If It's Broken..." is also organized in a way that lends itself to browsing--a valuable feature of any work intended for busy professionals.

Excellent book for the OD professional and the manager alike. In his usual very effective style, Dr. Jones' "lessons" are very readable, practical, and understandable, with just the right mix of humor, metaphors and stories. His use of actual experiences serve to effectively demonstrate the "real-life" usefulness and value of the techniques he describes. Every organization experiences dysfunction, to one degree or another, and can, therefore, benefit from the guidance Dr. Jones provides in this book.

Abolishing Performance Appraisals makes a powerful case for removing this well intended yet ineffective ritual organizations have been requiring for decades. Indeed, Coens and Jenkins provide solid reason why appraisals have to go, to be replaced with quality feedback mechanisms including coaching and support structures that enable employees to maximize their own potential. No one reading this book would challenge its basic argument. My primary concern was in the prescription. They recommend you recruit a group of stakeholders as your design team, to explore the problem in your own organization, and to arrive at alternatives that align with your organization's mission. Considering that Coens and Jenkins affirm W. Edward Deming's claim that 94% of performance outcomes are attributable to the system, they are less robust in offering concrete guidelines on what "the system" should look like. This book is excellent in describing the history of the problem and highly persuasive in its message. It accomplishes that goal. If the reader is interested in exploring a system that is a clear alternative, that is simple in scope and provides a strong transition from the current mess, I recommend you pick up Catalytic Coaching - The End of the Performance Review by Gary Markle. Equally thought provoking on the issue, but a stronger set of steps on how to approach the problem.

This is an important and well written book. The authors, Tom Coens and Mary Jenkins, think it is time for organizations to begin treating employees like the adults that they are. There is too much patriarchal and paternalistic hand-holding, and way too much time spent monitoring, evaluating and judging individuals. The authors advocate dropping the ritual of performance appraisal as a vital step, in itself, and for the "undercurrent" that appraisal represents, towards freeing the human spirit in organizations. This undercurrent "hangs like a cloud, pervades the workplace atmosphere...." It is the "personnel policies, human resource practices, and most importantly, the organization's unseen culture (values and beliefs) about people. It sends messages that people are not interested in working or improving the organization, messages that people are children who need to be directed and controlled in an atmosphere much like a traditional school." This is powerful stuff.

Coens and Jenkins want us to get busy on working together towards improving processes and the system of delivering value to our customers, and give up the quest for finally pinpointing, once and for all, who the "1"s, "2"s, "3"s, etc. are in the organization. They want us to quit thinking that a person's value and performance can somehow be reduced to a number. They explain how this is a fallacy and illusion, given the impossibility of separating out the individual's contribution from the contribution of the system or environment that she works in, inherent measurement and judgment biases, and organizational politics. More importantly, such reductionism is degrading and demoralizing to the individual. And "we trivialize an individual's work, often involving heart and soul, from something unique and wonderful into a cold and sterile numerical rating that purportedly signifies the person's total contribution."

The approach the authors take is to first surface, then examine, and ultimately attack the assumptions underlying appraisal, and then to build alternatives from "newer, more hopeful assumptions." They are thorough and convincing in making the case to abolish performance appraisal.

W. Edwards Deming, who mentored Jenkins, was often asked, "But if we eliminate performance appraisal, then what will we replace it with?" He would reply, "Try leadership." Whereas Coens and Jenkins would surely support such a true and succinct response, they also offer specific guidelines and methodology for an organization to wean itself from the nonproductive and harmful anachronism of performance appraisal. For example, they describe how to effectively "debundle" management concerns, such as motivation, coaching, counseling, retention, discharge, goal setting, pay, promotion, and discipline, which are often packaged as part of the appraisal process.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who values dignity, respect, and trust in the workplace, and who believes that holding such values is crucial in striving for true organizational excellence.

Dear Prospective Readers,

I would like to give ABOLISHING PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS by Tom Coens and Mary Jenkins my highest recommendation.

For years I have been convinced that appraising the contribution of individuals is a highly destructive organizational enterprise. I have come to this conclusion through my own experience and through the persuasive writings of Peter Scholtes (The Leader's Handbook) and W. Edwards Deming (The New Economics) and other authors.

Coens and Jenkins have written a thoroughly researched and documented text that provides a wealth of information on why performance appraisal should be eliminated, and what instead should be done to perform the functions it allegedly achieves.

Pages 306 and 307 provide an excellent summary of principles that can be used to improve organizational performance, coach employees, provide feedback, determine compensation, make promotion decisions, develop employees, help poor performers, and provide appropriate legal documentation in the event of a lawsuit.

Figure 10.1 on page 286 provides an excellent summary of the process necessary for an organization to free itself from the grip of individual appraisal and refocus its attention on improving system performance. It is appropriately called a "Sixteen-Step Program to Recovery from Appraisal".

Coems and Jenkins have made an extremenly valuable contribution to those organizations that seek to create humane work places.

Sincerely,

Laurenece J. Quick, Ph.D Associate Professor of Management Aurora University Aurora, IL.

This was a great book. If you have jumped on the Spider-Man bandwagon from the movie then this book is exactly for you. It is very easy to read history of the web head. Follow Spidey from when he got his Spider powers through his relationship with M.J. Watson to the Clone Saga and beyond. If you want to know about Spidey's history and his greatest villians and friends this book is for you. For long time fans this is a great reminder of Spidey. For those looking this is one book to put on your Christmas List.

This book was awesome! The illustrations and pictures were the best I've seen in a long time. It also was a very informative book. I learned more things about Spider-Man in this one book than in any other single book. It also contained very informative timelines and thumbnai pictures. I especially enjoyed the Spider-Man costumes column. This book even has blue prints for Spider-Man's web shooters! This book was very detailed and carried origins for each and every villain. I recommend this book to all who like Spider-man and want to learn more about him, or even if you know a lot and just to learn the details. This was an all around great book!

As a Spider-fan,I love this book because it has detailed info on every person,place and thing associated with Spider-Man!Learn about Peter Parker's girlfrends over the years.Learn the origins of 2 dozen villains including Doc Oc,te Green Goblin and Kingpin.Get a decade-by-decade overview of Spider-Man's History.This book has beautiful illustrations,is VERY easy to read as wll as informative!If you,too,are a Spider-fan,you'll think it's fantastic!!!

This is one film that is ripe for a remake. But one thing should be kept in mind; even if you got Spielberg to direct it, Tom Hanks to produce it, and the most authentic WWII gear to make it look real, it would be missing the one thing the original movie has: Audie Murphy himself.

This cinematic treatment of his ghostwritten World War II memoir of the same name differs in many ways from the book. Novak is killed when Murphy was in the hospital according to the book, but in the movie, he dies before Murphy's eyes. Audie is seen at the film's beginning taking care of the family; in truth, he was in orphanages. But again, the movie has Murphy.

And for me, that's enough. Not too many heroes get to portray themselves on the screen. And Audie had enough acting ability to play himself on the screen (something Mickey Mantle or Jackie Robinson couldn't really do with all due respect).

Still, it's a fun movie and it does give viewers Murphy's war experiences in a nice digestible hour and a half. Heck, even if half of what is portrayed on the screen was true, Murphy's war experiences would eclipse 99% of all the others (the guys of E Company in Band of Brothers are included here too).

It's a good intro to Murphy's war career if somehow his book is too daunting or if one doesn't have the time.

The single biggest reason to watch this movie is that the star himself was in fact the single most decorated war hero of World War Two, and he is convincing here playing himself with dignity, sincerity, and humility, which, of course, Audie Murphy always had in spades. The movie was adopted from his best-selling autobiography, which my Mom let me read after blackening out all of the four letter slang (as she called it). Perhaps it shows that he was my childhood hero, and I still have a personalized autographed photo somewhere reading "Thanks, Barry, for being my fan" that a friend's mom got for three or four of us ten year olds at the time this movie was released in the mid 1950s. It was the first movie I saw ten times. And I wasn't alone; Murphy was a national icon.

The movie truly is a classic; tightly directed, poignant, honest, accurate, and showing gripping combat without being gory or maudlin. It sometimes decends into travelogue movie-theater type newsreel moments, but these are thankfully rare and forgiveable. On the other hand, this is an interesting and absolutely true story of a common and uneducated boy from rural Texas who wanted more than anything to be a soldier and serve his country, and his subsequent deeds and patriotism above and beyond the call of duty inspired a whole generation of us who wanted to imitate his call to country. Unfortunately we walked into another time and the miasma of Vietnam. But that's another story for another time. Escape back to a time when the moral choices were clearer, and a real live hero was available to act his way memorably through an accurate recounting of his extraordinary if abbreviated military career. He may be gone too soon, the victim of a plane crash in the early 1970s, but his lifetime admirers remain. Enjoy!

There is something compelling about the movie version To Hell And Back which I first viewed as a boy in the 1950s. Perhaps it was the fact that the star was the hero himself "replaying" some of his own wartime experiences. Over the years, the movie has appeared repeatedly on television, and almost routinely on the History Channel. I've watched it many times. The movie, however, pales by comparison to Murphy's actual Medal of Honor citation. Now that I finally have read his book, the citation itself seems to offer only a fraction of the story behind his guts,determination, and eventually the horrible memories he endured until his untimely death in a plane crash. It makes me shutter to think of myself as a combat veteran from Vietnam compared to what men like Audie Murphy had to endure for the duration of their tours in World War II. But, it also makes me realize that war for frontline troops has changed little from one generation to the next. This ought to be REQUIRED READING for everyone who send others to war!

because I would love to go through the experience of reading it for the first time again.
I work in the Airline Industry in Australia in an operational role that has aspects of Industrial Relations associated with it. To read a book that relates so many interesting and insightful stories into the trials and tribulations of De-reg in the US and the power plays between the various airlines and the Unions was nothing but fascinating.
Well researched, well written and very enjoyable. I recomend it to anyone employed or aspiring to airline management

As an airline professional with one of the carriers covered extensively in the book, I was skeptical as to whether any author could present a clear picture of the industry's inner workings. "Complex" is somehow an inadequate word when applied to the airline industry, especially since Deregulation. Mr. Petzinger, however, has succeeded not only in telling the story; he has done so in an entertaining style which makes for a fascinating and highly informative trip through all of the turmoil wrought by deregulation. The reader comes away with an understanding of the cause and effect of every relevant force affecting the airline business over the last few decades. This, combined with a comprehensive overview of the industry's formative years, makes this book a treasure. The book would be a 10 except for a couple of minor research errors. The content, however, is outstanding and compels me to use an overused cliche: this really is a must-read for everyone in the industry and anyone with even a passing interest in the airline business.

Mr. Petzinger makes a very confusing, controversial, and always timely subject very accessible. As the son of a long-time manager in the airline industry, I was able to track events from my childhood by different labor strikes, airline births and deaths. The attention to the founding of the industry and the always unique position held by the airlines in making America what she currently is is exceptional.

Peter Pan is a good adventure/fantasy that kids and adults can enjoy alike. With much exaggeration, it is something kids can enjoy and read into. It's a page-turning book that once you started you can't stop.

This isn't like the Disney movie! I loved this book but at the same time I was shocked by the violence of the fighting between Hook and the Lost Boys and the Indians. I don't think I'll be reading this one to my nephews and neices, not until I have edited out the violent bits. It wasn't that In-Your-Face violence of the Hollywood movies, it was more insinuated and there was definetly a menacing atmosphere surrounding Wendy's, Peter's and Michael's adventures in Never Never Land. I do recommend it though, just not for easily frightened youngsters. This is definetly in need of a PG rating on the cover. PARENTS: This is no Disney Peter Pan!

My 10 year old daughter found this book in the school library. She read it one weekend and has checked it out several times. The classic story along with the beautiful illustrations by Eric Kincaid have made this one of her favorite books. When I surprised her with her own copy that I had found on Amazon she was thrilled and commented on it's excellent condition.

Journey with a guy with much testosterone, but a HUGE heart. I was not looking forward to reading this book for my 18th Century British novel class, but upon starting to read I found it to be a pleasurable story. This piqaresque novel has a humor that I have seldom encountered in other narratives. What is ironic is that Fielding wrote this piece during one of the most traumatic periods of his life. His wife just passed away, his daughter was dying, and he was inflicted with the gout. One would never think it from the clever way the book is written. The point of view gives us an in so that we feel as if we ourselves have roles in the storyline. Rooting all the way for Tom despite his flaws, we find out more about human nature along the way. A good read, light a candle and sit down with some wine like they would've and enjoy this classic comical delight.

It was about time I read "Tom Jones." Fielding's 1749 novel gives us a panoramic view of 18th century British life. Its titular hero journeys among the low- and high-born trying to find his way in a world in which he occupies a precarious position. Fielding uses the sprawl of 800 pages to explore a multitude of social, political, and literary issues, gluing them together with an exquisitely outlandish, fully embodied sense of humour.

The action of the novel begins with a view of the Allworthy family, a landed gentleman, Thomas Allworthy and his sister, Bridget. Into this family is dropped an orphan, a foundling - a child, if you will, of questionable parentage. This child, Tom Jones, is raised alongside Bridget's child, Blifil, as relative equals. Both are tutored by two ideologues, the philosopher Square and the theologian Thwackum. Jones is a precocious, free-spirited youngster, spoiled by Allworthy while Blifil, the heir apparent to the estate, becomes the favourite pupil and spoiled accordingly by his mother. As the two youths age, Tom develops a fondness for the neighbour's daughter, Sophia Western.

Tom's sexual development begins to get him in trouble, as it tends to throughout the novel, and as a result of one such incident, coupled with the goading jealousy of Blifil, Tom is driven out of the Allworthy home, left to seek his fortunes in the world. Meeting his supposed father, Partridge, on the road, the two begin a quixotic ramble across England. Sophia, meanwhile, pressured into marrying Blifil, runs away from home, beginning her own voyage of discovery.

"Tom Jones" begins with the narrator likening literature to a meal, in which the paying customer comes expecting to be entertained and satisfied. All 18 books of "Tom Jones" start out with such authorial intrusions, each cluing us into the writer's craft, his interactions with his public, and various other topics. This voice is actually sustained throughout the novel, providing a supposedly impartial centre of moral value judgments - each of which seems to tend toward enforce Fielding's project of a realistic, and yet, didactic portrayal of a world full of flawed characters.

Some of the issues the novel deals most extensively with are modes of exchange, anxieties over female agency, and the power of rumour and reputation. Exchange and the ways in which value is figured include a wide range of goods - money, bodies, food, and stories - and are integral to the story. The treatment of women is a great concern in "Tom Jones": from Partridge's perpetual fear of witchcraft to the raging arguments between Squire Western and his sister over how Sophia should be treated, to general concerns about sexuality and virtue. A novel that can be in turns hilarious, disturbing, and provoking, "Tom Jones" is never dull. Despite its size, the pace of the novel is extremely fast and lively. So, get thee to a superstore and obtain thyself a copy of this excellent and highly entertaining novel.

I first picked up Tom Jones because to put it bluntly I am a bibliophile and it was a cheap book. However, I was suprised at how engaging and hilarious the story was despite the claims on the back cover, which are often far off. To tell the truth I did not expect to make it through this extremely lengthy tome, I only wanted to satisfy my curiousity.

Although I am a fan of Jane Austen I was shocked by the freshness and wit that Fielding's writing still retains. Every book in the novel begins with an essay by the author. Do not skip these, they are one of the best features of the book. My favorite is the essay before the ninth book which explains the purpose of these introductory chapters. What a riot!

The story of big hearted and big appetited Tom Jones and his adventures and misadventures is one long satirical gem. Fielding's interpretation of morals, piousness, love, and high society is still as hilarious and relevant as it was in the 18th century. For anyone who appreciates wit and history, this is a must read.

Alex "Skinnybones" Frankovitch is a memerable character from one of my favorite books as a young adult. Barbra Park delivers a story about a young boy who feels out of place and uses humor as a defense. This book still makes me laugh out loud, and I think children of all ages can relate to Alex because he is the underdog that always see to get himself into some kind of trouble. I am studying to be an elementary teacher and I planning on reading this book to my class because I know I will enjoy it as much as they will!

When my grown son was in the third grade, I heard him laughing hysterically in his bedroom while I was cooking dinner. I had never heard him laugh and giggle so much! He told me a little bit about the story, and when he had gone to sleep, I picked it up and read it. It IS wonderful! I found myself laughing as much as my son had. The tale centers on Alex, a small kid who is the class clown and loves baseball. He is a very realistic character with whom children can identify, and he does some crazy things ( a lot with what he says ) that result in some hilarious situations. Kids really love this book! And so do many adults. It gives the reader a lot of pleasure as well as see the trials and errors of childhood in a fun, yet realistic manner. The author, Barbara Parks, has updated this little gem for today's readers, and it is just as wonderful.

I throughly enjoyed reading this book to my class this year. I laughed the entire time, so did they! It's great for any age, I've used it in both fourth and second grades and it's always a bit hit! This book takes a look at the lighter side of being the underdog as a kid. Skinnybones/Alex is a thrill a minute and Park uses everyday words and phrases that keep everyone rolling! This makes it REAL easy to "get into character" while reading, that's part of why it's so well liked, kids love watching adults act like nuts every once in a while. I highly recommend this one!