Practical Insights into the Mechanics of Conflict January 6, 2003
I read this book nearly 10 years ago and found it very helpful. As a pastor of over 23 years and a survivor of a few humdinger conflicts, it was comforting to know that conflicts have patterns. It also helped me control my own responses.

I wouldn't wish church conflicts on a dog, but they seem to come (to most of us in the ministry, not dogs!) no matter what precautions we take. But they can often be contained early, and this book can help. It will also help you accept that conflict is common and to be expected, therefore leading us to the conclusion that one should be as prepared as possible. The chapters are all pretty good, but those written by Speed Leas excel.

The time to read this book is before (or early on)conflict begins. Every pastor needs to be prepared for what is inevitable. Lay leaders (board members, etc.) can also benefit from this book. Also helpful would be Terry Muck's book, "When to Take A Risk."

The authors approach Church Management from their various perspectives, but all seem to have a grip on managing a church, everywhere from facilities to staff to offering security to planning.

This is a fine book with some great specific suggestions.

fundamental equations
Extrusion from a contracting under certain distributed loads
Cylindrical tude under certain distibuted loads

Today Rodney Hill remains the best known plastician of this century. Perhaps no other book in engineering mechanics has done so much to propel a field as has Hill's Mathematical Theory of Plasticity. The book forms a beginning, a guiding force, for nearly all plasticity books in print today including my own.

When I was first charged with the lightning bolt of the promise of software possibilities, I found this book. It helped me see how to view a microprocessor's capability in a comfortable, natural progression of understanding. It provided me what I wanted to know where I expected to find it. The references to related information, missing in most documentation, always seemed to be both appropriate and conveniently located. It was as if Zaks knew my own, unique desire to learn and how it naturally unfolded. It felt as though he had prepared each of the steps that I would need by having been where I was. It served me tirelessly as a reference until it fell apart. Books of this type are hard to find today.

When I was first starting to program I came across this book. It was not only a well written, complete reference on the Z-80, it was a perfect reference book. Now, when I program, I generally need several reference books hanging around. Mr. Zaks said it all, cleanly, concisely. Any success I had in my later programming, I have always felt that his book was at the core.

This book is about federal corruption in airplane crashes and what happened to the author, when he tried to expose it. The author endured the loss of his considerable life savings, and the better part of a year in federal prison.

The book is long, entailed by it being a personal account, but is more readable and dramatic than an essay format.

What's interesting about the book is not so much its account of airliner crashes, or the incompetence that made them possible, or even the corruption within the Federal Aviation Administration. What will astound you is the book's detailed and documented account of the almost incredible corruption of the Justice Department that the author experienced first hand, the complete negation of the Bill of Rights.

While reading the book, it crossed my mind that the author was paranoid or a crank. But no, the writing has the ring of truth. You can always tell a crank. They are inarticulate, they have no evidence, they have or have had no careers. But here we have a man who had a distinguished career in aviation, and was an able businessman -- a man of repute. He has credentials, court records, and documents. Another reason to believe his account is that he would be sued for libel if even one tenth of his accusations weren't true.

When the book first arrived in the mail I thought: Hmm, pretty fat book, is it worth reading? So I leafed through it and saw the chapter with the intriguing title: "Prison!" Well, it looks like I'd bought a book by an ex-con. I read that chapter first, then went back and read the book from the beginning. Here are the most important chapters, you can read the others for supporting material: About the author (reverse of front cover), Introduction, Chapter 4 FAA Kangaroo Court, 6 Checks and Balances, 7 The Imposters, 20 Radio and Television Appearances, 21 to 27 (corruption in the federal judiciary), 29 Fighting Back, 30 Grim Outlook.

Some criticisms: The author appears to be an old-fashioned liberal. For example, he is for government regulation of the airline industry, even after what he discovered. He occasionally strays from his subject matter, dipping briefly into train safety and nuclear plant safety. He should have limited his writing to airline safety and then, with what he uncovered there as a springboard, corruption in the federal judiciary. The book has more than the usual number of typographical errors.

This is a great example of:

EVIL OCCURS WHEN A GOOD MAN DOES NOTHING. Rodney Stitch wrote this book to get the word out to all of us....to inspire something to be done. If we had listened to him we would not have had this terrible tragedy on September 11, 2001. I would hope that the failure of our media invite him to talk about what can be done for air travel safety and security.

I have been curious about the people who have lived and worked on the Outer Banks in the past. They had a special kind of endurance and obvious love of their wonderful environment, which is apparently inherent in the current residents of the area. When I found this book, I couldn't wait to read it cover to cover. My anticipation was rewarded with a comprehensive look into the lives and livelihoods of the hard-working and family-oriented "Bankers". It is with admiration that I refer to this book again and again for a reminder of why the Outer Banks is such a great place.

This book, a gift from a friend, provides a sensitive portrait of the men and women who spent their lives on or at the edge of the sea. It chronicles their daily battles as well as the beauty and tranquillity that the islands provide. A factual presentation, the book illustrates the relationship of people and the sea from numerous viewpoints. While not written to be glamorous, there is a beauty and passion in the book that captivates and fascinates the reader. One finishes the book with a new viewpoint on those who make their life and living in and near the sea and a new appreciation for the hardships, dedication and passion that these men, women and children demonstrate. We can all take some life lessons from the pages of this handsome volume.

Walter Benjamin has progressed over the years from an obscure lesser member of the Frankfurt School to a widely read leading member of that obscure school. Aided by such as Hannah Arendt, who introduced him to a wider audience in her writings (and also to me), readers have come to appreciate Benjamin for the beauty of his writing as well as his sharp insight.

This volume, along with its companion, is an excellent introduction to the style and thought of this man who, while out of step with his times, possessed the insight to give those times an original critique.

Possessed of a lively style and free from the Marxist bagge that weighs down his Frankfurt School colleagues such as Adorno and Horkheimer (I think Benjamin owes much more to Heidegger than Marx), Benjamin will hook any reader who takes the time to spend an hour or two with this book. From here it's an easy step to purchase other Benjamin writings, a step I can almost guarantee.

While his work is as important as Barthes, Foucault, or Derrida, or any other critic of the 20th Century, Benjamin's work has a mystical quality, a kind of enchantment, that resonates much more than any other critic I have read. It is always human and sensitive, even despite his determinedly impersonal tone.

When I think of Benjamin, I think of Emerson's famous line about Hawthorne - that he was a greater man than any of his works betray. The integrity and character of Walter Benjamin shines through his works, and is an inspiration to anyone who takes literature seriously.

This first volume of Bejamin's complete works is very attractive and welcome. Some of my favorite essays are present, such as his essays on children's literature, and the nature of language. I eagerly await the other two volumes.

When you are born again, one cannot help but see how anointed Rev. Darlene and her son, Rodney are. This book is awesome, and is a blessing to me. It reminded me of how common folks like us, me and you can and should used the gifts God has blessed us with, at all times, where ever we are. And it is so simple to look into the mirror, and see who we are and who's we are. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we can and should use what we have for the Glory of God Almighty in the precious name of Jesus. May God continue to bless Rev. Smith and Rodney for their obedience to continue to reach out to common folks like me and others to use what God has blessed us with to glorify Him.

"The Spirit of Using What You Have" is a thought provoking book that helped me to take a look at myself. Not only did I look at myself, but It prompted me to do something about my condition and the conditions all around me.

My life will never be the same after reading this book because it helped me to look deep within the very root of my soul and allowed me to concentrate on my gifts, and prompts me to change. Not only for myself but for humankind.

Never have I ever read a book that from the smallest child to the oldest adult can receive greatly from the stories that The Spirit Of Using What You Have brings to their lives.

It is a powerful book that can be used in classrooms all around the country. It can also be used in the prison system, church study groups and families will enjoy sharing it's stories together.

In the 1st. Chapter, The Spirit of Growth, I learned that unless I do something about my present condition, I will remain the same and get the same thing in life. It is only when I decide in my mind that life owes me more than what I am getting will I do something about my condition. It was only when the Seed took on another form did it grow into a thing of beauty and produced more seeds as a result of it's change.

In chapter 2, "The One That Got Away" was powerful. I felt as thought I was one of the characters. I realized that it is only when you allow your mind to take on new possibilities and think deeper than the average person, you will open yourself up to great possibilities. The One That Got Away is a story that everyone can relate to.

Chapter #4, "Realizing Your Potential" I found out that we are our own worst enemies. We need to realize that God has given us gifts and potential. Not only did God give us potential but He also gave it to others. When we are looking at the "Jone's" and wanting what others have not realizing that you too can succeed is when we fall into trouble. We have the potential to realize our dreams and aspiration. We have the potential to make dreams come true. If we persevere and work hard toward our goals, nothing is impossible for us to achieve.

The poetry in the book is excellent. It is as if we are looking into a mirror. It is as if we are looking into our very souls and the poetry seems to be talking to the reader.

I have been touched, my life has been changed, my thoughts are now elevated to higher heights and deeper depths, my look on life is filled with new possibilities and renewed strength. I know that I can achieve the impossible and I am ready to launch out into the deep. I am ready to reach for goals that I have dreamed for many years. I am ready to put action to my thoughts and work toward reaching my fullest potential.

This book must be read my the masses of people. This book must be put into schools and in the hands of those who seem to have lost their way.

With God, All Things Are Possible.

Yasman Smith

after reading this book, I would say it is one of the new and modern aspect of art I have seen and read about in a long time. This is a great art book for all to read and see. I recommend it to all household, schools and libraries.

This book outlines difficult clinical scenarios related to atrial fibrillation and the most appropriate management. Excellent coverage on antiarrhytmics, catheter ablation, and pacing.